Laity forum not to alter stance

The Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency has said that there is no change in its stance on the land deal scandal in the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

The Movement for Transparency, an organisation of lay persons, was formed in the wake of the land deal scandal involving some of the senior functionaries of the archdiocese, including Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry.

‘Outcome misread’

Riju Kanjukkaran of the forum said it had moved the Supreme Court in appeal against an order of the Kerala High Court staying the registration of a case in the deals.

Mr. Kanjukkaran said the outcome of the meeting of the Presbyteral Council, council of priests, here last Saturday had been misread. There was no development at the Presbyteral Council meeting to indicate that the problems had been solved, he said.

He also said there was no meeting between members of the Presbyteral Council and the lay leaders scheduled for Monday as reported in a section of the media.

‘Not just about money’

The land deal scandal was not an issue in which only money was involved. There was a question of moral failure too, he said.

Shine Varghese of the Movement For Transparency too said it was not diluting its stance on the issues involved in the land deal scandal.

He reiterated that if the movement withdrew from its stance there was no meaning in the position it had taken that all issues must be brought to light.