Kochi: Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, says the Church assets cannot be considered as public property.
The cardinal made this assertion on February 19 in the Kerala High Court. The court has sought the prelate’s explanation on a petition filed by a layman seeking a police probe into the controversial land deal in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.
In his statement, Cardinal Alencherry pointed out that the Church is not a trust. A third person cannot intervene even if there is loss in the land deal, the cardinal clarified.
The lawyer for the cardinal made the submission when a petition filed by Shine Varghese, Cherthala seeking an investigation into the complaint filed by him after registering an FIR in accordance with the law. The petitioner alleged the Church authorities allegedly involved in the matter colluded with each other with an intention of duping the dioceses.
Although the petition was reported to be submitted in person to the police the latter refused to issue a receipt stating they had instruction from his higher officials to not issue receipt against any complaints filed against Alancherry and others.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned until Thursday the hearing on the petition filed by Joshy Varghese of Perumbavoor. The petitioner had filed a complaint before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Ernakulam for registering a case against the Archbishop, Fr Joshy Puthuva and Fr Sebastian Vadakkumpadan.
However, the magistrate was not inclined to order an investigation under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Hence, he sought a directive to the Judicial First Class Magistrate -VIII, Ernakulam to forward the complaint to the police for registering a crime and investigation into the land deal.