Church land sale sees cardinals in court
Church land sale sees cardinals in court
The Supreme Court of the South Indian state of Kerala has demanded that a cardinal be questioned over his alleged involvement in the sale of church land.
The Kerela High Court rejected an appeal by Cardinal George Allencherry seeking immunity from appearing before the District Court.
This decision means that the head of the Eastern Ritual Shiro-Malabar Church will have to appear before the Ernakulam district court in connection with the criminal proceedings pending against him.
Cardinal Allen Shelley said he was “a 77-year-old man and head of the Church of Syro-Malabar,” with “religious ceremonies, bishops including ceremonies, ordination of priests, and consecration of churches.”
Judge Ziyad Rahman dismissed the cardinal’s plea as “unacceptable” because the crimes alleged against him were serious and “should be punishable by imprisonment for not less than seven years.”
The judge added that if the cardinal admits to attending conferences around the world, including in Rome, he has no physical problems that would prevent him from appearing in court just three kilometers from his official residence. Stated.
The prelate has faced 14 criminal cases related to questionable land deals carried out in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam Angamaly since he was appointed Emir in May 2011.
Those who accuse him of alleged corruption in the sale of church land claim a loss of US$10 million to the archdiocese.
A church official who wished to remain anonymous told UCA News: He only follows the advice of his priestly council and others authorized to do so. ”
These allegations forced the Vatican to reduce Cardinal Alan Shelly’s executive powers and apostolate in June 2018.
Hundreds of Catholics in Ernakulam-Angamaly staged a torchlight protest in front of the archbishop’s house, demanding the resignation of the prelate as archbishop of the archbishop following a court order.
Protesters said the prelate had brought shame to the entire Shiromalabar church and to the Indian Christian community.
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https://cathnews.co.nz/2022/11/17/church-land-sale-lands-cardinal-court/ Church land sale sees cardinals in court