Kochi, Jan 15 : The ongoing synod of Syro-Malabar Church has decided to approach the cyber cell against online media spreading “wrong and malicious news” about the Church. “The fabricated news is being published aimed at destabilising the unity in the Church and abusing bishops through character assassination. The laity should realise that such fake news has nothing to do with the discussions in the synod,” said the Church official spokesperson in a release.

Curia bishop Sebastian Vaniapurackal and the media commission have been entrusted with initiating legal action.

The conclave has not even thought of the transfer of bishops while a few online media have reported that three bishops were given punishment transfer, it said. The synod also assessed that baseless reports on bishops reluctant to declare their assets were aimed at deliberately insulting them.

The Church got clear evidence that a few online media groups were propagating such false reports for groups which work against the Church. Hence the Church has decided to initiate strict action against them and bring them before the law, said the spokesperson.

Though the synod is progressing as per the earlier fixed agenda, the baseless reports that the conclave is stormy with noisy and unruly scenes are creating confusion among the laity.

The Church also assessed that extremist, terrorist and anti-social groups were behind the anti-Church campaigns.