Kerala - Kochi

Archdiocese’s move opposed

KOCHI: The Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) on Monday warned Archbishop of Varappuzha Daniel Acharuparampil that if the archdiocese went ahead with the proposed sale of its rubber estate at Kalamassery, the association would initiate legal action against it.

Association president Felix J. Pulludan told a press conference here that an awareness campaign would be launched against the sale of Holy Angels Estate. He claimed that the estate was bought by Archbishop Angel Mary a century ago for spending revenue from the estate entirely for the care of orphaned children.

The association demanded that the Archdiocese withdraw from the move and make public this decision. If not, protests would be launched under KLCA leadership.

Mr. Pulludan claimed that the KLCA had the support of the laity and a large number of priests in the archdiocese.

The archdiocesan authorities had been selling off land over the last few years, he said.

About 2.5 acres close to Smart City was sold off recently. Besides, a plot of land and building situated close to the archdiocesan headquarters was leased to a prominent business group. No details of this lease were known to even priests in the archdiocese, Mr. Pulludan said.

He called for an appraisal of the income of the archdiocese.

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