Kochi: The permanent synod of the Syro-Malabar Church has constituted a three-member panel headed by Kanjirapally bishop Mar Mathew Arackal to handle the controversial land deal case in Ernakulam – Angamaly archdiocese. Mar Jacob Manathodath and Mar Mathew Moolakkattu are the other members of the committee.
There has been criticism within the pro-cardinal sections that the High Court strictures came due to the mishandling of the defence.
The committee will take decisions regarding the legal matters in the land deal, including the appointment of a new counsel. Serious lapses by the archdiocese’s counsel in handling the case have led to the court directive against the cardinal, said the synod meeting.
Meanwhile, the Ernakulam central police said that an FIR will be registered in the case only after getting a copy of the court order and its detailed scrutiny. The court has ordered a police probe against Cardinal Mar George Alencherry and three others for allegedly effecting a land deal that caused huge loss to the Church.
