UCA News
Contribute

Indian bishop asks Catholics to produce more children

The Kerala church responds to a declining Christian population
Indian bishop asks Catholics to produce more children
Published: December 14, 2016 10:23 AM GMT
Updated: December 14, 2016 10:24 AM GMT

An Oriental Syro-Malabar bishop in Kerala has urged Catholics to stop using birth control and have more children as studies show that the Christian population is declining in the southern Indian state.

Bishop Mathew Anikkuzhikkattil of Idukki made the appeal in a letter published in the December issue of the diocesan paper.

"Those who say no one needs to be born and live after they become part of the population are selfish and arrogant. A miserable life awaits them. Men and women should engage in creation as long as their reproduction capacity lasts," the bishop said in the article.

The bishop also said that inter-faith marriages and the tendency among young people to delay marriage to ensure they have an education and career are additional factors behind the decline.

In response, many parishes have come up with incentives to encourage people to procreate such as free education and free medical care for children starting from the fifth child onwards. Some parishes are even offering financial assistance to large families.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia