Taking a serious note of the growing drug menace in central Travancore, the Pala Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church has convened an emergency meeting of all its 171 parishes at Pala on Sunday (April 6, 2025).

Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt has issued a special circular to all parish vicars seeking their presence at the conference to be held at 2 p.m. Hundreds of faithful, both youth and adults, are expected to attend with 10 representatives from each of the diocese’s 171 parishes spread across Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts.

In his letter to the parishes, the bishop has emphasised the community’s responsibility to ensure that intoxicants do not gain any influence over society or its systems. He also warned of the alarming spread of dangerous narcotic substances and the resulting surge in violence, murders, and other crimes.

Prasad Kuruvila, general secretary of the KCBC Temperance Commission, will preside over while Bishop Kallarangatt will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include Diocesan Director Fr. Joseph Vellamaruthunkal, SMYM Director Fr. Mani Kozhuppankutty, Vigilance Cell Director Fr. Joseph Arimattam, and community leaders Sabu Abraham, Antony Mathew, Jose Kavil, and Alex K. Emmanuel.