Now holy-day abroad with Kerala priests

The idea began as trips to the Vatican,but has since expanded to major destinations in entire Europe,Egypt,Israel,Palestine and of late Macau.

Father John Sankarathil of Kochi conducts six-seven Europe and Middle East tours a year. According to him,their job is to “offer spiritual guidance to tourists and prevent them from being cheated by tour operators”.

Admitting that underlying these visits is a trip to the Holy Land,he says: “Our people have money. Many of them have wards working abroad. Around 50 groups,comprising 20 to 40 members each,from Kerala go for European/Middle East tours a month. The presence of a priest makes their trips more religious and makes access easy at various places.”

Mathew Kandirickal of Thodupuzha-based Kandirickal Travels admits that presence of priests has become a selling point for Europe tours. “But I would not comment on whether the priests see a business opportunity,” he said.

Syrian Orthodox priest Sleeba Kattumangattu,who has been organising tours to the Holy Land for several years,has now included Hong Kong and Macau in this “pilgrim tourism”. While reiterating that priests made a trip more religious,he refused to entertain queries on how Macau could be linked to Holy Land.

Catholic reformist Joseph Pulikkunnel regretted that priests had made Holy Land trips a business. “Many have joined to make money. Their social acceptability helps clear hurdles during tours,” he said.