Cardinal George Alencherry has relinquished the post of apostolic administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.
The decision came after Pope Francis appointed Jacob Manathodath, Bishop of Palakkad, as the new apostolic administrator on Friday. However, George Alencherry will continue to hold the post of Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, according to an official communication.
The Pope’s decision to appoint a new administrator is seen as a culmination of the controversies that erupted following a series of land deals that his critics say had landed the archdiocese in financial difficulties and violated both Canon and civil laws.
The church release pointed out that Jacob Manathodath would continue to hold the post of Bishop of Palakkad. Even though Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath and Mar Jose Puthenveetil will continue as auxiliary bishops, the administrative powers will be vested with the apostolic administrator.
The functioning of the consultative committee, presbyterian council, pastoral council and finance council has been suspended following the appointment of the new apostolic administrator. Mar Jacob Manathodath could activate these bodies by either making changes or re-structuring it, according to the release.
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court had earlier stayed the registration of a criminal case against George Alenchery related to the controversial land deals. This came after a single judge had ordered the police to register an FIR against the Cardinal and three others following a complaint.