Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese presbyters’ council failed to meet here on January 4 as a handful of laymen prevented Cardinal George Alencherry from convening the session.
The meeting was scheduled to discuss the inquiry commission report on the controversial land deals.
“I was physically prevented by a group of laymen from attending the presbyters’ council meeting. As they told me that a huge number of believers were waiting outside, I was forced to postpone the council meeting to avoid any untoward incidents and a tense situation. I regret the inconvenience caused,” said Cardinal Alencherry in a note to the members of the presbyters’ council.
The meeting was expected to obtain responses from the cardinal, procurator Fr. Joshy Puthuva and , vicar-general – Sebastian Vadakkumpadan who have been named in the report, before it is sent to the Holy See.
However, responding to media persons, a section of priests denied the allegations that the cardinal was forcibly prevented by a group of believers.
The members of laity representing various organisations in the Church were present at the meeting venue, who allegedly obstructed the cardinal.
As per reports, the majority of clergymen have demanded that the inquiry commission report should be discussed in the presbyters’ council only after it is debated in the pastoral meeting.
The archdiocese general synod is scheduled from January 8 to 13 at St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad. Any decision with regard to the land deal like retrieving the losses incurred or action against those responsible for the loss has to be taken based only on the final report of the committee,” sources said.