Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 27 (IANS): The Syro Malabar Church Pala diocese has announced sops for all families in their diocese if they have five or more children and this would be applicable to couples who have been married after 2000.

This was announced by the Pala bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt while taking part in an online meeting organised by him. Posters have come out which explain the details.

Among the sops that have been offered in the poster, which reads: "Year of the Family, Live the joy of God's love includes a monthly scholarship of Rs 1500, starting from the fourth child and to all future kids of a family, will be given education with scholarship at the church-run St Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, besides free medical facility for every child after the fourth will be offered at the church-run hospital".

Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt

When eyebrows were raised on this, the bishop accepted that he had said this, and added that he stands by what he has said.

Meanwhile, the Church authorities pointed out they will come out with a detailed statement about it.