Kerala church land row: Council slams church leaders

KOCHI: In a major embarrassment to Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the Ernakulam - Angamaly archdiocesan pastoral council on Saturday elected his known critic P. P. Jerard as secretary of the council comprising the laity and the clergy. The council, including 120 members of the laity and 60 clergy, which met for the first time here after the land deal row, discussed all aspects of the issue. Many of the pastoral council members criticised the Church leadership for the way in which the controversial land deal has been handled. The Church authorities have not shown enough vigilance in effectively managing the crisis situation, the council alleged.

Fr Paul Thelakkat presented the topic at the meeting. Auxiliary bishop Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath presided.  Bishop Mar Jose Puthanveettil, vicar-general Mon Antony Narikulam and chancellor Rev Dr Jose Pollayil also addressed the meeting. The majority of the laity and clergy criticised the cardinal.  Fr Benny Maramparambil, who was a member of the six- member commission constituted by the cardinal to probe the land deal, explained the panel's findings.

Church procurator Fr Sebastian Manickathan submitted the details of the financial loss suffered by the archdiocese in the land deal and the current financial situation. The meeting also elected Mini Paul as joint secretary.  Sijo Pynadath was the former secretary. The election is for three years from 2018 to 2021.  According to a press release issued by Fr. Paul Karedan, PRO of the archdiocese, the new secretary Mr Jerard said that the pastoral council was committed to upholding  the unity of the archdiocese.