Signature drive to support Cardinal George Alencherry

KOZHIKODE: A signature campaign launched by a group of priests and believers in support of beleaguered Cardinal George Alencherry has received more than 1000 endorsements in three days.   "Members of Syro Malabar Church understand and recognise the extremely agonising times you are going through in the aftermath of the land deal controversy. Through this message we let you know that we stand firm with you," said the campaign letter. "We do believe that you always act in the interest of the church and will never betray the faith and confidence that millions of the faithful have reposed in you."

The first signatories include Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, chairman, Priests and RELIGIOUS Lawyers Forum,  Congress leader K.C. Rosakkutti, former women's commission chairperson, Dr Albert K Abraham, assistant professor, Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi, Prof Jolly Zachariah, dean, academics, and head of Malayalam department, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, George Kallivayalil, journalist, New Delhi and Prof Monamma Kokkad, director, Kerala State Minority Development Financial Corporation.

"It is evident that there is a deliberate attempt by certain elements against him. Everybody knows that he cannot examine every nitty-gritty of all financial transactions of the archdiocese," Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam told DC.  "There are several bodies which are responsible for monitoring transactions and cash flow. Even then the impression created by the campaign by a small section was that the cardinal is the sole person who is responsible for the fraudulent transactions, which is not true."