George Alencherry, the Indian bishop who was recently nominated cardinal by the Pope, is working alongside Catholic ministers in the Kerala government to clear up the case regarding the possible involvement of two Italian marines in the killing of two Indian fishermen aboard the oil tanker Enrika Lexie.
The news has arrived from Catholic news agency Fides.
The newly elected Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Cochin-based Syro-Malabarese Church in Kerala is actively mediating and trying to find a peaceful solution to this delicate situation.
The cardinal confirmed that “he has contacted Catholic ministers in the Kerala government,” and announced that he would be dedicating his utmost attention to the case until it was “peacefully cleared up and resolved,” averting any concrete risk of political exploitation.
The cardinal who is Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, said: “I learnt about the Catholic fishermen who were killed: it is very sad. I contacted Catholic ministers straight away, asking the government in Kerala not to act hastily. Errors of course were made during the incident, as fishermen were mistaken for pirates. The point, however, is that it seems the opposition party wants to take advantage of the situation and manipulate the case for electoral reasons, making reference to western powers and to America’s attempt to gain supremacy.”