KOCHI:
The District Collector and the police are showing culpable negligence towards the High Court judgement that St Thomas Church, Kothamangalam should be administered as per 1934 Constitution of Malankara Church, said Orthodox Church authorities at a press conference in Kochi.
“The High Court directed the District Collector to take over and bring the church under legal administration on the basis of contempt of court petition filed before the High court in this regard. But the High Court order is not implemented despite several days after the order” Church spokesperson Fr John Abraham Konat and Fr Thomas Paul Ramban said.
“It is suspected that the Collector, who is responsible to implement the court order, seems to have conceded to somebody’s pressure and show negligence towards the court order. When government and bureaucrats join hands to sabotage the rule of law, it causes anarchy in that land. The Orthodox Church cannot allow this, ” they said. Therefore the Collector should initiate immediate steps to take over the St Thomas Church, Kothamangalam.
They alleged those manage administration at Kothamangalam church were betraying the church and faithful. “Centuries old articles including bells, palanquins, crosses and many other things, kept in the church are missing now. Even the holy remains of Catholicos Eldo Baselios, are stolen by breaking the tomb. Rights of properties worth crores of rupees was handed over to a private trust.
Statement of accounts since 2013, are not legally passed. Church properties were transferred to the names of church administrators or in the names suggested by them. Loans of huge amounts were availed in the name of church, without the consent of faithful. Incidents of fund misappropriation have been reported from church owned schools, colleges and hospitals. But the faithful are yet to understand they are being cheated in the name of faith, ” they said.
“No new member is added or membership renewed after 1974.They fear if parishioners join hands together, it would affect their existence. Therefore the present administrative council is not ready to renew membership of parishioners and elect a new council, ” the priests pointed out.
Some parishioners have filed civil and criminal petition against the present council on charges of fund misappropriation, illegal transferring of properties. Rumors are being propagated regarding implementation of Supreme Court order. But the fact is once the administration as per 1934 is in place, faithful can continue worship and religious practices without any hindrance.
Fr. Thomas Paul Ramban and Church spokesperson Fr. Dr. John Abraham Konat participated in the press conference.
