The presbyteral council (council of priests) of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese has sought action against Father Antony Poothavelil who had alleged that Father Paul Thelakkat was behind the forged bank documents used in an attempt to tarnish the image of Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Father Kuriakose Mundadan, secretary of the council, said Father Poothavelil’s statement before the media was misleading and caused confusion in the minds of the ordinary people.
The council’s demand comes even as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly Father Jacob Manathodath has issued a show-cause notice to Father Poothavelil on the issue.
Conspiracy
Father Poothavelil had alleged that there was a conspiracy to save those who had forged the documents, used to tarnish the image of Cardinal Alencherry.
An FIR had been registered after a complaint by Father Joby Maprokavil that named Father Thelakkatt and Bishop Manathodath in the forged documents’ case.
Forged
The police recently said that investigations had led to the conclusion that the documents against the Cardinal had been forged.