A fresh controversy has erupted around Fr. Joe Arun, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission, after the Catholic Minority Welfare Society (CMWS) publicly endorsed allegations that he was involved in partisan political activity and misuse of institutional influence.
Fr. Joe Arun, a Jesuit priest associated with Loyola College, Chennai, currently holds two significant positions — as Chairman of the State Minorities Commission and as Director of the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA). His dual role has now come under scrutiny amid mounting political and ecclesiastical criticism.
Political Allegations Gain Traction
Earlier, The Commune had reported about how Joe Arun had organized a state-level ‘awareness programme’ in partnership with missionary organizations for Christians, where he asserted that Chief Minister MK Stalin is the only leader capable of providing protection to the religious and linguistic minorities in Tamil Nadu.
Joe Arun had given a clarion call for all Christians and Muslims to vote for DMK in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The controversy intensified after Kovai Sathyan, National Spokesperson of the AIADMK, alleged during a TIMES NOW debate on December 23, 2025, that networks linked to Loyola College were being misused for political purposes. He also raised allegations of corruption and laundering of funds through alumni connections.
The issue resurfaced in January following a Dinamalar report claiming that priests were allegedly summoned and trained to campaign in support of the ruling DMK. The report named Fr. Joe Arun in connection with the allegations.
While Fr. Joe Arun has not publicly responded to the specific claims at the time of reporting, the Catholic Minority Welfare Society has stated that the allegations warrant serious attention and cannot be dismissed as routine political sparring.
Church Law And Public Office
Beyond the political dimension, CMWS has framed the issue as one of ecclesiastical propriety. The Society pointed to Canon 285 §3 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which prohibits clerics from assuming public offices that involve participation in civil power.
The Chairman of the State Minorities Commission holds a statutory position that exercises civil authority and is expected to function as an independent, non-partisan constitutional office. Critics argue that the combination of a priestly vocation and a government post raises ethical and institutional questions, particularly when allegations of political alignment surface.
Perception Problem For Church Institutions
The controversy has also triggered unease within sections of the Catholic community. According to CMWS, there is growing concern that respected Church-linked educational institutions are being drawn into partisan political narratives, potentially affecting their credibility.
The Society has announced that it will formally submit representations to the Superior General of the Society of Jesus and to the Apostolic Nuncio to India, seeking ecclesiastical attention to the matter.
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