Issues technical', says Catholic Congress

Kochi: The land deal row in the Syro-Malabar Church has  entered a new phase with the probe report of the Catholic Congress finding  only technical lapses in the deal which resulted in financial losses. According to the report,  the Church leadership had no  vested interests or financial motives in the land transaction. A three-member internal probe team of the Catholic Congress prepared the report which will be submitted to the national working committee.

Archdiocese vicar-general Sebastian Vadakku-mpadath had  entrusted Mr Saju Varghese, a real estate broker, to sell  more than three acres of land at a rate of Rs 9.05 lakh per cent to clear the liabilities of the Church. He prepared the title deed and got it signed by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry promising that he would be able to pay the amount only after six months citing currency ban and financial crisis.

Instead of giving the balance amount of Rs 18 crore,  he bought 25 acres of land at Kottappady near Kothamangalam and 17 acres at Devikulam for the archdiocese. The vicar-general and procurator visited these sites and realised that the properties are worth Rs 18 crore. 

The cardinal agreed to purchase the land after he was convinced of the land value. Hence, it is certain that the financial loss was caused not because of any deliberate attempts by the Church leadership, the report said.

The Catholic Congress feels that an attempt is being made to indict Cardinal Alencherry and demanded strict action against the real estate dealer who misguided and cheated the Church. The report also doubted a conspiracy by a section of clergymen in dragging the deal  in the public domain.

Meanwhile, the first half-yearly session of the 26th synod of Syro-Malabar Church that began on Monday in Kochi has reportedly favoured the Cardinal.