Members of the community decreasing; start dating at 18 and get married by 25, Bishop Mar Joseph Pamplany's controversial advice

KANNUR: Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany has said that as the number of members in the community is decreasing, young people should start dating at the age of 18 and get married by the age of 25 and enter into family life. Bishop Pamplany's controversial remarks were made while inaugurating a conference of the Catholic Church's youth movement.

"It is not a crime to fall in love after the age of 18. No one should think of it as a bad thing. The rush of young people to go abroad is dangerous. The eagerness of youngsters to take loans of Rs 30-40 lakh and flee abroad has weakened the community," said Pamplany.

"The community is in crisis due to the decline in the number of members. In the Thalassery diocese alone, 4200 people above the age of 35 are unmarried. This is creating a big crisis. In my opinion, the young people in the community are shy and walk with your eyes fixed on the floor. This should be changed and young people should get married before the age of 25 and enter into family life," said Pamplany.