Kerala church land row: Law of land is supreme, argue Church revivalists

KOZHIKODE: Revivalists in the church are up in arms against Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, major archbishop of Syro Malabar Church, for his Good Friday sermon at Kokka-mangalam St. Thomas Church, Alappuzha during which he allegedly placed the Canon Law above the law of the land.  “The legal system of the country should not intervene in Canon Laws,” he had said. Catholic Laymen’s Asso-ciation (CLA), a revivalist group in the church, demanded the state and Centre to register a case against the archbishop for an “unpatriotic stand”.  

CLA secretary M.L. George said the speech was unconstitutional and challenged the sovereignty of India. “The Canon Law and allied laws are not divine laws, but many of them are against the teachings of Christ, apostles, the laws of different lands, against the fundamental rights of Christian minorities and natural justice,” he said.  Canon Law is an attempt by the church to take possession of church wealth denying the believers a right over them, he said. The church established parallel courts across the country and subjected the laity for trial under alien laws and regulations imposing fines and punishments on believers,” he added.

“The Bishops have no commitment to the citizens, other communities and even to the country,” he alleged.    It is to be recalled that the High Court had sharply criticised counsel of Cardinal George Alencherry on February 26 for pointing out to court that as far as the Cardinal is concerned, the appellate authority is the Pope. Meanwhile, Fr Paul Thelakkatt, former spokes person of Syro Malabar Church also told DC that he does not think the Canon Law is above the civil law of the land. “The laws of the church are like club laws applicable to members. They come under civil law and criminal law. The canon law is applicable in all countries of the world where Catholics exist and live,” he said. “The law only says what is to be done within the club,” he said.