CM meets Archbishop Netto to placate Church leaders who felt bypassed in Cabinet formation

)   Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan connected Monday sought to placate the Latin Catholic Church, which was reportedly miffed astir the non-inclusion of a subordinate of the Latin Catholic assemblage successful the United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinet.  Mr. Satheesan made a dash for the authoritative residence of the Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop, Thomas J. Netto, hours aft helium took the oath of bureau and announced the portfolios of the Cabinet members.  Earlier, the Latin Catholic Church’s Vicar-General, Fr. Eugene H. Periera, had expressed interest that successive governments seemed to springiness Latin Catholics abbreviated shrift erstwhile it came to practice successful administration, often treating the laity, a important electoral bloc, arsenic a ballot bank. According to immoderate accounts, the Church enactment had adjacent contemplated boycotting the UDF government’s swearing-in ceremony.  Moreover, the Church leaders reportedly felt that the Congress enactment had passed implicit M. Vincent, MLA-elect from the Kovalam Assembly constituency successful Thiruvananthapuram, and T. J. Vinod, MLA-elect from Ernakulam, some of whom hail from the Latin Catholic community, for ministerial rank. Moreover, Latin leaders besides felt they were being shrugged disconnected by the Congress leadership, which vested the Fisheries ministry successful the Indian Union Muslim League, though the Latin Catholic assemblage comprises the bulk of the State’s coastal population. Notably, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had argued for Mr Vinod’s inclusion successful the Cabinet, alongside Anwar Sadat, MLA.  Mr Satheesan’s bureau stated that the Chief Minister promised that upholding the progress, well-being, livelihood, carnal prime of life, acquisition and economical improvement of coastal communities was the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s apical priority. 

Published - May 18, 2026 08:37 p.m. IST