KOCHI: Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has made it clear that he hasn’t done anything against the interest of the Church in the land deal case.
In a circular to be read out in churches during Sunday Mass, Alencherry denied the reports that the removal of auxiliary bishops from the posts was his decision.
“I have fully cooperated with the inquiry commission appointed by the apostolic administrator and all details of the land deal have been given to the probe team. Many misunderstandings have been spread among the faithful on the land deal. However, I want to make it clear that I haven’t taken any steps to cause financial loss to the archdiocese,” the Cardinal said.
The probe commission report, submitted to the Pope, will be discussed in detail during the synod session scheduled for August.
“It is understood that many clergy and faithful are reluctant to accept the papal decisions to suspend the auxiliary bishops from the posts and to end the service of apostolic administrator Jacob Manathodath. A section of them interprets the decisions as taken by me. But everyone should understand that the decisions have been taken by Pope Francis and the Holy See hasn’t informed me about the reasons for such a decision. I understand the decision might be based on reports from various sources and the inquiry commission’s findings,” added Alencherry.
The Cardinal expressed apprehensions over the attempts to create division among the laity by misguiding them through misinterpreting the Papal decisions.
“Being the head of the archdiocese, I request you to be vigilant against such attempts to create division among the laity. No one should support or encourage the anti-Church activities,” he added.
According to the Cardinal’s circular, the August session of the synod will take crucial decisions regarding the administration of the archdiocese.
