Controversies
Archbishop Powathil is known for his traditional stance in both liturgy and traditions of the church. He has taken a strong stand for the protection of minority rights of Christians in Kerala state. He supports good relations towards East Syriac traditions and East Syriac liturgy. He was of the idea that the Syro Malabar Catholic church as basically a syriac church must be faithful towards East Syriac traditions. As a result he faced a lot of opposition from those attempting the inculturation of the Church.
When the Communist government in Kerala passed the self financing college Act in 2006, he rigorously criticized the bill immediately after its pass in the assembly. He said that the bill is the most harshest weapon against the Christians in the history of Kerala state after independence. As a result, the Communist party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan criticised heavily him publicly. Because of Mar Powathil's efforts, the bill did not come into effect. He said that since Christians in Kerala form only 19% of the total population, it is essential that their institutions must be protected from the anti minority practices of the governments which are controlled by the majority community.
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