Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 3: A veteran Catholic priest from Kerala has called for 'limits' to freedom of expression, saying the recent terror attack on Charlie Hebdo had a lesson for the media although he clarified that he wasn't justifying the assault that left 12 persons dead.

Archbishop Emeritus Mar Joseph Powathil said the French satirical weekly was in the habit of hurting religious sentiments of believers, including Catholics.

'The Charlie Hebdo attack has a lesson for the media - don't overstep limits of freedom of expression,' Powathil said in a column that appeared in the Church-run Malayalam daily Deepika on January 30.

'The recent terrorist attack on a publication in Paris is in no way justifiable. Terror is condemnable whatever its objective be. Yet, the arrogance that one can do anything in the name of freedom of expression also has to cease. It was a habit for some atheists to use this French publication to oppose believers and their beliefs. It is understood that attacking the Catholic Church was fun to them,' Powathil said in the column titled ' Media must not cross the Lakshman rekha'.

'It's high time those who indulge in such cruel fun realise that they are doing injustice to the society. Not just terror, poisonous journalism too must be opposed.'

While the January 7 Paris attack, that left several prominent editors and cartoonists dead, provided the backdrop to the article, the immediate trigger appeared to be an issue closer home: the 'bar-bribe' scandal that has embroiled a minister considered close to the Church and who has been under attack from the media.

The article does not mention the politician - state finance minister K.M. Mani - by name even once, but leaves enough hints.

Powathil, a former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), builds his case step by step.

The column begins with a reference to a public debate between English writers G.K. Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw in which the dramatist apparently asked Chesterton if he would oppose it if he (Shaw) hit him on his head with his umbrella, which was his (Shaw's) private property.

Chesterton, Powathil wrote, replied that he would strongly oppose it as the head was his, though the umbrella might belong to Shaw.

Powathil felt that what Chesterton meant was there were limits to using private property.

The priest cited examples of the power of the media, saying blown-up newspaper pictures of sweat forming on Richard Nixon's face during a public debate led to his defeat in the ensuing presidential elections.

Powathil also referred to the 'effective use of social media' behind Narendra Modi's election as Prime Minister. 'It has now become common for the media to influence votes by conducting surveys and publishing results,' he wrote, before focusing on Charlie Hebdo.

'Breaking idols is a fun to many. Offending what others see worshipfully is their favourite pastime.... If communities are hurt like this in the name of freedom of expression, members of the community may react in their own style. Media must understand this,' Powathil said.

Powathil then moved to the 'bar bribe case' that has been haunting the state's ruling Congress-led UDF government and especially finance minister Mani.

Powathil said the 'media shouldn't be the one's levelling the charge and judging it as well. Many are asking if this is not what is happening in the bar bribe case. They say there is something improper in continuously haunting a person without the right evidence'.

The minister has been accused by some bar owners of taking money in return for permission to open their bars that were shut down following the state government's amended liquor policy.

Mani heads the Kerala Congress (M), which draws its strength mainly from Catholic-dominated central Kerala belts.

Powathil concludes his piece with a call for a limit on freedom of expression. 'It isn't right for media to take up trial and punishment.... Media should on its own try to find limits to freedom of expression. Or those in power must set the limits. If there is no limit to freedom of expression, the freedom to react too will exceed limits,' he warned. 'That's the lesson media should learn from Paris.'