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In a
bid to combat its diminishing number of faithful in
southern state of Kerala, the Catholic Church there has
initiated measures, including some medical schemes that
can restore its lost numbers - mainly among the youths.
Apparently worried by its dwindling population, the
Catholic Church proposed some medical schemes, one being
the reversal of tubectomy among women in church-run
hospitals. Additionally, it will also provide remedial
support for infertile couples and educational incentives
for fourth child in the family.
In the last two national censuses, taken in 1991 and
2001, the Christian community in Kerala shrank slightly
in terms of population percentage. According to the
Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, the Christian
population in Kerala has fallen from 24% to 19% in the
last 50 years.
Some of the reasons for the decline are attributed to
young parents opting for small families and the educated
and economically better off, migrating to abroad
countries and choosing to have one child to ensure
social security.
Attempting to restore its lost flock, the Bishops'
Council says it will "extend support to women who want
to undergo reversal of tubectomy or recanalisation." Fr
Jose Kottayil, secretary to Kerala Catholic Bishops
Council’s (KCBC) Commission for Family, says church
"will work out cost-effective packages in this regard.”
The campaign, says Fr Kottayil, has already shown some
positive signs. Many have come forward for
recanalisation, he said, adding "we want to bring down
the cost below from Rs 40,000 to Rs 10,000 in church-run
hospitals.”
A doctor at a Catholic hospital in Kerala concurs. “We
are getting a good response for recanalisation. The
pro-life movement of the Catholic Church has prompted a
section of the women to undergo the reversal process,”
the nun-cum-gynaecologist was quoted by the Indian
Express as saying.
Earlier in 2006 the Catholic Church had issued a
pastoral letter exhorting the faithful to have more
children, and also last year the Bishops opposed a state
family planning bill that would penalize families for
having a third child.
Coming strongly against the bill, Fr Althara,
spokesperson of KCBC, then said, the church in Kerala
would launch aggressive pro–life campaigns through its
family apostolate in every diocese.
"The church would take care of the education and
health–care needs of children from economically backward
families, if they are willing to have more babies," he
added.
According to the proposed bill, families having a third
child will be fined 10,000 Rs ($240). In addition,
families will also be denied free education and
treatment in government hospitals. The legislation even
recommends punishing those calling for more children in
the name of religion or caste.
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