Kochi: Tensions within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church’s Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese came to the front during the meeting of Archdiocese priests. The meeting decided to inform Vatican about their opposition to the Cardinal. The priests also warned against open protests if retaliatory measures were taken against them by the Cardinal.
The priests were unhappy with the Vatican’s decision to reinstate Cardinal Alencherry as the Major Archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.
During the meeting, attended by 251 priests of the archdiocese, the priests accused the Cardinal of breaking the Cannon Laws. They said that they are not ready to cooperate with Cardinal George Alencherry and demanded that he must be removed from the administration of Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
The priests demanded an Administrative Archbishop with independent charge to replace George Alencherry.
Further, the rebel priests said that the removal of the Auxiliary Bishops, Sebastian Edayanthrayathan and Jose Putheveetil, as unethical. The resolution of the priests demanded justice for the two Bishops.
The dissident priests demanded to know how the Cardinal who was removed from the post of Major Archbishop for indulging in financial fraud related to land deals was returned to the post. They reminded that the allegation of financial fraud still exist and the issue is not solved.
The meeting of the 251 priests at Kaloor in Kochi is the second protest by priests against reinstating Cardinal George Alencherry.
The Syro-Malabar Church has over 30 diocese spread around many countries of the world with 50 lakh followers.
