The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has thrown its weight behind Cardinal George Alencherry in the case relating to a series of land deals conducted by the Syro-Malabar Church, which reportedly caused huge financial loss to the archdiocese.
A circular issued by KCBC president Archbishop Soosa Pakiam M. at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the forum, maintained that the kind of corruption alleged to have happened in the land deal did not seem to have occurred. The circular makes it clear that fissures within the church have led to needless controversies and given rise to apprehensions among the faithful.
“Measures have been taken to address the apprehensions and allegations pertaining to the land deals involving the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese within the church itself,” says the circular.
The meeting, held on June 4 and 5, also reviewed the controversies around the alleged forgery of documents pertaining to the deal. “The decision taken by the Synod of the Syro Malabar Church in this regard is in the right direction. The KCBC demands that the police investigation into the forgery case should progress without any external interference or pressure. The KCBC believes that the content of these documents goes against the facts. Therefore, the real culprits in this case should be identified and exemplary action should be initiated against them,” it adds.
It urges believers to maintain vigil against those with vested interests trying to foment trouble within the church. The circular also instructs Syro-Malabar, Latin and Malankara Catholic churches to read it at congregation on June 9 or to explain its content to the faithful.