KOCHI: The Presbyteral Council of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly has petitioned the synod of the bishops of the Church to resolve the issues around a series of sale of archdiocesan land that has turned out to be scandal involving allegations of mismanagement and possible loss of money for the Archdiocese.
The Presbyteral Council is a forum of priests, most of them elected, under the Canon Law with powers to take decisions on important matters.
In a letter to the Bishop Secretary of the Syro-Malabar Synod on Sunday, an appeal was made that the Synod took up the land sale issue, to deliberate on the issues involve and to resolve these issues in a reasonable and exemplerary manner. The appeal was sent to the synod by Father Kuriakose Mundadan, Secretary of the Presbyteral Council.
The letter has been sent as the first session of the 26th synod of the Syro-Malabar Church will begin at the St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad, on Monday. Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherrywill will preside at the synod. It is expected that all the bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church will attend the synod. There are a total of 62 bishops, including those who have retired.
The letter from the Secretary of the Presbyteral Council described the land sale and associated developments as a “scam”. The letter said that the developments had “shaken the conscience” of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The letter also said that the society at large awaited a “creative intervention” of the Synod on the matter.
Final report
Meanwhile, it is learnt that copies of the final report of an enquiry committee appointed by the Archdiocesan authority on the land sale had been sent to all the members of the bishops’ synod. Sources said that the copies of the final report was sent to the bishops ahead of the Synod beginning on Monday. The committee appointed by the Archdiocese included priests as well as experts on various issues involved.
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