Kochi: The six-day-long synod of Syro-Malabar Church began at the Church headquarters at Kakkanad on Monday, January 8.

Though the synod has no powers to take any decision regarding controversial issues, the event assumes significance as the body is expected to discuss the land deal row involving Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese on third or fourth day of the meet. Cardinal George Alencherry inaugurated the synod.

A total of 59 bishops are attending the 26th synod. It started with prayer meet led by Kottayam archbishop Mathew Moolakkat. This was followed by holy mass led by Cardinal Alencherry.

 Meanwhile, All Kerala Catholic Congress, the political arm of the Church, is learnt to have pledged its support to Alencherry. According to them, though there were certain technical flaws in the land deal, the cardinal only had the good intention of repaying the bank loan.

The controversial deal took place in 2016. The Church had appointed a committee led by the cardinal and two priests to sell five plots owned by the Church situated in and around Kochi city to pay back the bank loan. Later, an inquiry committee appointed by the Church had found irregularities in the land deal.

On January 6, presbyterian council secretary Fr Kuriakose Mundadan had sent a letter to the bishops for the synod’s immediate intervention in the row.

source: The Hindu