Kochi: The rebellion in the Syro Malabar Church’s Ernakulam-Angamally Archdiocese took a new turn yesterday when priests under the leadership of Father Joseph Parekattil decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike demanding that Cardinal George Alencherry from office. They also demanded that the Cardinal should not preside over the synod of bishops to be held in August.
The striking priests another demand was that cases against several priests and commoners in the forging documents must end as those cases were hoisted on them to vilify their image in public.
The priests are saying that Cardinal George Alencherry is facing 14 criminal cases against him and that he has no moral right to continue in his position as head of the Church.
A police team arrived at the Archbishop’s House when those supporting the Cardinal and those opposing him gathered there. Yesterday, during a meeting the Cardinal had asked the priests for cooperation. However, the Cardinal failed to answer the priests queries on various issues. This led to the rebelling priests to stage a protest inside the Archbishop’s House.
The Vatican had earlier removed George Alencherry from the administrative role of Ernakulam-Angamally Archdiocese only to be reinstated this June. The Vatican decision met with resistance from the priests who are joined together to fight against the corruption of the Cardinal.
