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Holy Men in Unholy Acts

Land Deals Land the Archdiocese of

Ernakulam-Angamaly in a Mess

CARDINAL SIN
Moral Integrity Questioned, 
Laity Alienated

Marring Money Matters Take the Credibility 

of the Church on a Slippery Slop
0101 INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018

In the Name of Land
Church becomes a Bureaucratically Complex Corporation
The church has run itself the risk of
losing the trust of its congregations.
In fact, a church that was build on the solid
foundation of unity is today divided in opinion.
T
he Kerala Syro-Malabar Church faces its
worst crisis in recent history over a land
row in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-
Angamaly. Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the
Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, and
his two officers – Finance Officer and Director
of Institutions are in the eye of a storm sending
shockwaves to its faithful and supporters alike.
The priests and faithful of the Archdiocese allege
that there were serious violations of civil and
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canon laws, involvement of land mafia, lack
of transparency, alienation of properties, and
severe monetary loss in the recent series of land
sale.
The Archdiocese landed in trouble by its
attempt to start a medical college much against
the collective opinion of the Presbyterium
and the purchase of 23 acres of land towards
this project at Mattoor, near Angamaly with a
term loan of Rs 58 crores. The Medical College
INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018 11
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At the core of the fast-escalating controversy
concerning the financial incongruity and
misappropriation of assets within the church is a laity
that has for eons looked up to and revered the clergy
always respectful, always dutiful, always compliant
project hit a roadblock and the term loan
rocketed to Rs 70 crores. Stung by the mounting
liability, the Finance Council decided to restore
parity by selling off some of the prime land
of the Archdiocese in the middle of the city.
Fr. Joshy Puthuva, the Finance Officer, and
Msgr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan, Director of
Institutions, were at the reins. With the consent
of Mar Alencherry, the land sale was executed,
but the Archdiocese plunged into dire straits at
the hands of dubious realtors, who fleeced the
Archdiocese. When the plans went haywire,
remote plots of land were registered, that too
far away, in the territory of Kothamangalam
and Idukki. A loss of almost 30 crores of
rupees was estimated in the deal and an
enquiry commission of six experts comprising
priests and lay experts was constituted by
the Presbyteral Council to probe into the
irregularities of the land deal.
According to the interim report of the enquiry
commission tabled before the Presbyterium and
Presbyteral Council, the 3.06 acres of land was
Bp Sebastian Adayanthrath George Cardinal Alencherry
2121 INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018
to be sold for a base price of Rs. 9.05 lakhs per
cent as per the contract signed on June 21, 2016,
duly authorized by the Consulters’ Forum. It
was also agreed that the deal should be done
through Veekay Agencies; land should not be
sold in pieces and the whole deal should be over
within a month. Apparently, all these conditions
were flouted. The Archdiocese received less
than Rs 4.66 lakhs per cent, and the deal went
through a single individual, Mr. Saju Varghese
Kunnel, allegedly ushered into the fray by
the Cardinal himself. The land was sold off in
36 small portions, and eventually, after one
year, even the agreed amount has not found
its way into the coffers of the Archdiocese. The
properties that were sold include 60 cents near
Thrikkakara Bharat Matha College, 69 cents on
Seaport-Airport road near Naipunnya Public
School, Kochi, one acre at Kollamkodimugal
near Kakkanad, 20 cents at Nilampathinjamugal
near Infopark, and 54 cents near Maradu all
prime land to the naked eye. The revenue from
the deal worked out to Rs 27 crores as per the
Bp Jose Puthenveettil
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understanding, but it garnered

only Rs 9 crores. Rs. 18 crores,
proceedings from the sale of
the land, is still shrouded in
mystery and is unaccounted
for. Among the sold properties,
there was also a plot of land
gifted to the Archdiocese by
the Congregation of Alexian
Brothers exclusively for
charitable purposes and not for
sale.
There are also allegations
that the land at Mattoor
borders an industrial area,
with companies like Shakthi Fr. Joshy Puthuva, the Finance Officer, and Msgr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan
Rock Products (high volume
metal crusher), three rice mills because of the high index of pollution. As regards the purchase
(Keerthi, Malabar and Surabhi), of land at Devikulam in the district of Idukki, the entire process
a petrochemical thinner factory of transaction was very secretive. Surprisingly, both the auxiliary
(Q7 thinner) and 2M Lifts bishops and one of the syncelli were kept in the dark for obvious
and Escalator company. By reasons. The priests maintain that this is a gross violation of
any stretch of imagination, collegiality and collective responsibility as cited in CCEO 215#3:
this property would not be The eparchial bishop in assessing matters of great importance,
ideal for a hospital, or for especially those of pastoral nature, is to consult auxiliary bishops
that matter a medical college, in preference to others.

Cardinal Alencherry ‘Blocked’ from Clergy Meet

T he Syro-Malabar Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese Presbyters’ Council failed to

meet 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 had been scheduled to obtain responses from the Cardinal, Procurator Fr.
Joshy Puthuva and Pro-Vicar General Msgr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, all of whom have
been named in the report. The inquiry commission report is to be sent to the Holy See, the
office of the Pope and the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome.

INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018 13

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The official bodies of the Archdiocese such as Finance Council, Presbyteral Council and
Presbyterium discussed the issues at length. The fiasco was unearthed by the priests in the
diocese and they went to great lengths to unearth valid documents via RTI. As the report of
the enquiry commission comes out, they plan to appeal to Rome for further action against
individuals involved in the scam if actions are not initiated. The Major Archbishop admitted
that technical and procedural errors have occurred in the whole deal and caution was thrown to
the wind. Cardinal Alencherry himself has signed in all the 36 land sale documents.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath, issued a circular
upon the request of the Presbyterium, admitting that the land deal resulted in a huge financial
burden to the Archdiocese. The circular observed that the overarching crisis was not the financial
meltdown, rather the question of credibility and morality. Lack of transparency and ignorance or
misinterpretations of Canon law, reckless circumvention of structures and policies raise serious
moral concerns. Though the Archdiocese can recover from the financial crisis to a great extent, issues

Land Deal Puts the Church in Mess

Fr. A. Adappur SJ
The controversial property deal effected by the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulum-
Angamaly and the reports about it appearing in the media make one think of the saying:
“Truth is stranger than fiction.” One popular daily noted for its habitual sobriety referred
to the land deal as a “scandal” in a double-column headline. The word “scandal” conveys
a sense of moral evil. This is apart from the huge material loss amounting to Rs 30 crores, if
not more. There are several questions that are being raised since the details of the land deal
have emerged: How could such a thing happen? Who is responsible for bringing matters
to such a pass in a high profile, venerable institution like the Catholic Church with its well-
established rules and regulations? These and similar questions are being asked by many
both within and outside the confines of the Archdiocese. Cardinal George Alencherry being
the highest authority is reportedly said to have taken a keen interest in all these happenings
and was assisted by Sebastian Adayantharath and Joseph Puthanveetil, Auxiliary Bishops
of the diocese. The full text of a pastoral letter written by Bishop Adayanthrath addressing
priests only has appeared on the internet for the whole word to read.
Fr. Paul Karedan, Archdiocese official spokesman, has subsequently admitted before
the media that mistakes have been made in the procedures that lacked transparency. The
cardinal has expressed regrets over what has happened. A committee has been appointed
to look into the details of the entire transaction and their report is awaited. Steps are being
taken to bring this entire matter to the attention of the Pope who alone has authority to judge
the Cardinal. Ultimately, what has happened has happened. There’s no use weeping over
spilt milk. However, this should be taken as a God-given opportunity to take a closer look
at our way of handling matters like this. Open and wide consultations are indispensable
and our lay men and women have an essential role to play in this dialogue. In fact, these
matters fall within their area of competence. The clergy should be ready to take a back seat,
no matter how high they are in the hierarchical setup.

4141 INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018


related to morality will prevail.
At the core of the fast-escalating controversy
concerning the financial incongruity and
misappropriation of assets within the church is a
laity that has for eons looked up to and revered
the clergy always respectful, always dutiful,
always compliant.
With the latest land row, however, the church
has run itself the risk of losing the trust of its
congregations. In fact, a church that was build
on the solid foundation of unity is today divided
in opinion.
While a section of people have demanded the
resignation of the Major Archbishop, others feel
that open protests against church leadership
needs to be avoided. A group of people have
formed “Save Archdiocese Campaign” to
create awareness among the believers about the
whole situation. The war on the pages of social
media has added steam and colour to the entire
episode, with followers and detractors taking up
cudgels to decimate each other using binaries.
They demand that culprits surviving on blatant
lies should be brought to the book, should be
removed from their responsibilities and should
be asked to restitute the loss. The Archdiocese
should revise its particular laws so as to
appoint people of moral integrity to responsible
positions, timely auditing and presentation of
accounts in public and uphold the reputation of
the Archdiocese.
The Church should provide for the spiritual,
moral and ethical needs of its people. But
if there’s a controversy boiling in its own
backyard, how can one expect the Church to
comfort the ones who come calling to it for
aid and succour. The last thing the Church
can become is a bureaucratically complex
corporation.
The current controversy has also amplified
the distrust of authority that many laypeople
possess. At a time when the Church should
be a common, welcoming ground for its
congregations, such incidents, much like cases of
rogue priests who maltreat and molest, further
distance the laity. Even a whiff of a scandal is
oftentimes enough to impair the credibility of
an institution. Here, there’s an open Pandora’s
Box spewing out things more vile than the last
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and, as matters stand now, the key accused is the
head of the institution itself.
It has been proclaimed in certain quarters that
at the heart of the current land row is, in fact,
a noble intention: to build a medical college.
Then how did such a righteous idea get mired
in controversy, corruption and scandal? In terms
of sheer economics, if the plan of building a
medical college ever succeeded, the approximate
spending would have come up to around Rs.
300 crores. Simple math will tell students who
would be enrolled in this institution, they may
have to cough up an amount that will burn
a hole in their pocket larger than the size of
this country. Or, this college is meant only for
financially well-endowed families. And that sure
puts the nobility of thought to test.
What was the logic behind the several
financial dealings? Was really the head of
the Church and by extension the Church
itself – duped by a sly realtor? What were the
circumstances that led to the clergy washing
dirty linen in public? Those are the questions
that need to be answered and the Church is
indeed answerable to the laypeople who have
put their trust on her.
The head of the Church, Cardinal Alencherry,
is yet to venture out of his stony silence to clear
the air. However, restrictions have been placed
on the powers of the syncellus Msgr. Sebastian
Vadakumpadan and Fr. Joshy Puthuva. Further
remedial actions are expected as the complete
report of the commission finds light.
INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018 15
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Lord of the Lands…

Not Master of Faith…
Balance sheet of a land deal:
Moral integrity questioned, Faithful alienated

The reputation of the Kerala Catholic

Church is increasingly being tarnished
in the recent past by erratic priests and
compromising authorities.

W
ith its notorious land deal, the pastors of the Ernakulam-
Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church
in Kerala served a sourly feast for its faithful during
the bygone Christmas season. Providing convincing explanations
to the faithful may be relatively less challenging than handling
its subversive pastors who clamour for nothing less than the
resignation of the Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry. As
the subject under the lens of scrutiny is the topmost authority of
the church itself, introspecting on church’s call and mission as well
as the ways of its being and becoming after the ideals of Jesus is
nonetheless not an unproductive exercise.
This article does not intend to delve into the details of the land
BY Jose Vallikatt
deal, whose lies and liabilities would be exposed sooner rather
than later by the six-member commission appointed by the Major
Archbishop, the supreme juridical body of the church. However,
it investigates the ways a spiritual organisation skidded from the
popular aspirations, for which I would resort to some comments
that appeared in various social media sites.

Losing credibility
While on earth the most challenging question Jesus faced was
about his credibility as the son of God. The Johannine account

8181 INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018

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of Jesus’ story is a brilliant

narrative of his believability
evidenced by his words,
deeds and signs. However,
the credibility of Syro-
Malabar Church, which boasts
of its apostolic heritage,
unfortunately, is on slippery
slope. While the believers
may waive the irregularities
in the temporal management
as inadvertent, church’s moral
integrity is intensely doubted
and challenged.
In one of the online
discussion forums, a person Fr. Joshy Puthuva, the Finance Officer, and Msgr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan
commented, “The scam
offered us an opportunity
to learn that some pastors
are hooligans, while some
The land scam is a
others are morally eroded.
There is a mafia of priests.”
Another person perceives
clear indication that the
the aberration of spirituality
is being commodified: internal discipline of the
“They [priests] have made
spirituality a lucrative
product” in the religious
church is in jeopardy
marketplace, and have been
“bluffing people with their
Church in Chaos
empty spiritual promises.”
The reputation of the Kerala Catholic Church is increasingly
These opinions reflect the
being tarnished in the recent past by erratic priests and
desperate aspirations of
compromising authorities. Despite the authorities being cautioned
people about an entity they
in this regard, not much effort is seen to prevent the tendencies and
trusted for spiritual and
improve the pastoral quality.
social emancipation. No
wonder, more young people The land scam is a clear indication that the internal discipline
are distancing from the of the church is in jeopardy. People are surprised at the uproar of
institutional church, satisfying a few clergymen who were part of the Presbyterium that granted
themselves with mere church consent for the land deal. They are dismayed by the members
attendance for the sacramental of the priest council, without whose knowledge the news was
nourishment they yearn. The leaked to the public, breaching the confidentiality and trust of
ecclesial authorities not only the priestly collegium. Some suspect the betrayal and breach of
need to sweat a lot but also be co-responsibility of the two auxiliary bishops assisting the Major
ready for a radical conversion Archbishop.
from the paths they were The faithful and other priests are alarmed at the intentions of
treading in order to reinstill the vociferous priests who brought the issue before the deal is not
the real passion among the completed. The whistleblowers might have their latent motifs than
youth for ‘being the Church’ rectifying financial and moral irregularities within the legitimate
they want. church forums through appropriate canonical procedures.

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We are oblivious about if they

had made any effort to correct
the mistakes in a confidential
way before insisting on the
resignation of the authorities
in public. On the contrary, we
are unaware if the concerned
authorities have lent a sensitive
ear to the protestor priests’
concerns and demonstrated
willingness to rectify the
mistakes if any. Oftentimes,
the plaintiffs feel they are George Cardinal Alencherry along with his two auxiliary bishops
denied common and personal
justice by the authorities.
The present scam proves the
terrible indiscipline in the
The official media office
church which is unbecoming
for any decent social association
remained stunned and silent to
not to mention a religious
organisation.
respond on the issue, forgetting
Media Strategies the fact that in a media era of viral
It was in social media that
the first bits of news about
news feeds every unused minute
the land scam broke out,
as the mainstream media
to provide a creative response
hesitated to discuss the scam
initially. Instantly, the news
would haunt them.
became viral and polarized
opinions began to surface.
undue and unbridled discussion of the issue.
While many were concerned
about the marring money Worst of it was the official media strategy. As usual the official
scam, some others alleged it body remained stunned and silent to respond on the issue,
as a calculated plot against forgetting the fact that in a media era of viral news feeds every
the Major Archbishop, whom unused minute to provide a creative response would haunt them.
they consider having particular Official ‘spokesperson’ is reduced to a ritual performer only during
slant towards the liturgical crisis; on other times and socially relevant issues the church has
renewal of the Syro-Malabar nothing to speak on! The ecclesial authorities need to learn from
Church. The ordinary faithful Jesus who instantly responded to human situations as well as
availed the social media to pertinent questions except in one occasion when he discouraged a
voice their anguish, anger and person who wished to follow him.
anxieties about the church Opportunity for Conversion
deviating from the path of
Evolution of the Christian way of life into a structured religion
Christ. It was quite surprising
(keep aside the contentious question on Jesus’ intention to found
to me that an influential
one) can be traced to Jesus’ compelling response to the aspirations
organisation had neither a
of people. When they were like a flock without a shepherd, he
coordinated media strategy nor
could become their best pastor, addressing their hunger, poverty,
any personality to persuade
infirmity, marginality, dignity and integrity in ways that they
people to stay away from
could experience total liberation. The apostles could pick up this

0202 INDIAN CURRENTS 08 - 14 January 2018

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way of salvation and continued to cater to the people’s quest for excusing human frailty. It
meaning and space in a cultural and political milieu which often would be most irreligious
excluded them. if we do not desire for and
The novelty of Christianity remains in offering an altogether make an effort to amend
different narrative to the ways people celebrated their life and our transgressions. The very
destiny. Although the indomitable desire for such a narrative is starting point and foundation
still prevalent among faithful today, the pastoral leadership of of the Christian narrative is
the predominantly institutional church pitiably fails to satiate the call to conversion, which
this popular yearning, enraptured by their invincible hunger for is not an instantaneous
power, promiscuity and profligacy. The present issue though has dramatic event, but an
confused many young people with questions of ethics and faith, ongoing process of continued
with increasing number of faithful demanding for transparency renewal happening in a
and inclusion of laypeople in temporal affairs of the church. genuine spiritual journey. The
authorities are to wake up to
While many faithful opt to distance themselves from church
the awareness that religious
disenchanted by the debauched priests, others find their own ways
leadership is not about
to enliven the Christian narrative in manifold ways of responding
multiplying structures and
to the poor, working for social justice and doing other spiritual
assets, but is about building
practices. The various questions and suggestions made in the social
and caring for a community
media by the laypeople call for an unprecedented cleansing of the
that journeys to land of honey
conscious from the part of the church. The church would have to
and milk.
pay a big price if it still ignores its loyalists who, thanks to science
and technology, have gained significant socio-cultural capital Top officials and
even to challenge its misconduct in public. Faithful expect that the Presbyterium are equally
pastors of a church that makes and venerates saints shall be free of culpable for dragging the issue
blemishes. The mainstream church should not only run faster but that could have been settled
should have the willingness to change the course if it has to chase within the legitimate forums
the dream of Jesus and his ordinary flock. of the church to the public
But ‘conversion’ and ‘change’ are ideas that were vehemently sphere. Their inability to settle
challenged in the church domain. Pastors and faithful make lame the issue in most ethical ways
arguments for resisting conversion. A very practicing Catholic proves them to be spiritually
layperson said to me that “conversion [of priests] is not possible.” impoverished. The church
Shockingly, many others, including priests, were persuading in Kerala requires to come
me about the human frailty of following an ideal. In effect, they back to Jesus for a radical
encourage others to comply with the errors. conversion experience. The
row over the land deal offers
There is no dangerous idea than perpetuating evil and corruption
the most opportune time for
spiritual and moral repentance
and reparations. Reluctance
to repair would endanger
the missionary, pastoral
enthusiasm of thousands of
genuine priests, religious and
laypeople. If the church misses
this chance for amendments,
it not only would be alienated
from the authentic Christian
narrative, but also would
pauperize itself having no
credible witness to offer the
millions that aspire for Christ.

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