The Liar and Father of Lies

The Moderator of CSI Submits False Affidavit

It is sad to find the Ecclesiastics of CSI showing scant regard for the law of the land and the constitution of the Church. They seem to have become law unto themselves. In John 8:44, Jesus refers to his opponents as children of the devil and then goes on to describe the devil as a “liar and father of lies”. Of course this refers to their behaviour of obscuring the truth about Jesus Christ. But how would we understand the behaviour of the Moderator of the Church of South India and his fellow Bishops, if they grievously error on the side of falsehood questioning the very existence of a God who watches over us and our behavior?

It is with great dismay that these instances of grievous moral turpitude the Moderator of CSI are brought to the public. The Moderator had not only acted fraudulently to subvert the judicial system but also made a mockery of the democratic process in the dioceses.

The Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Miryalaguda, (Telangana State) issued an injunction in I. A. No. 340 of 2015 on 6th April 2015 restraining the Moderator and the Synod officers from making the proposed amendments to the present constitution of the CSI till 15-04-2015 when the matter would be heard in detail. The proposed amendments pertain to increasing the retirement age of the pastors and thereby that of the bishops from 65 to 67, extending the term of a Synod from 2 to 3 years and also taking away the democratic system of electing officers of the Synod and Dioceses.

However, without giving scant regard for the injunction/the judicial order and the law of this land, the Synod met on April 8 and 9 and passed the amendments to the constitution. The Synod General Secretary announced this decision of the synod to the Dioceses and others concerned on April 14 for further action by the Diocesan Councils.

Without any moral compunction, the moderator and the officers, in their sworn counter affidavit dated 15-04-2015 to the I.A. No. 340 of 2015 in the Additional District Court of Miriyalaguda, stated that “Synod Council that was convened on 8th and 9th April after a series of meetings of the constitution committee and the Synod Executive did not make any proposed amendments to the present constitution.” They submitted this blatant falsehood in their sworn affidavit to escape from the charge of contempt of Court. The Court disposed of the case accepting the sworn affidavit of the Moderator and with the rider that if any action follows contrary to this, the complainants can approach the court again.”

Since then, the moderator has been working overtime to call the meetings of the Diocesan Councils and ratify the amendments which, by his own sworn affidavit, had not been passed by the Synod. The CSI Constitution Ch. 13, 2/c, require ratification by two thirds of the Diocesan Councils for the amendments to come in force. Only amendments passed by the Synod can be put to vote in the Diocesan Councils. The moderator is guilty of committing contempt of court; he desecrated the very honorable position that he holds as Bishop and Moderator of the Church of South India by falsely representing facts before the honorable court; he made the Diocesan Council members of the 24 dioceses look fools by misleading them into voting for an amendment that by his own sworn affidavit, had not been passed. He had no legitimacy, moral or otherwise to continue in the leadership of the CSI.  

The Moderator has been resorting to arm-twisting, intimidations and all sorts of illegal means to get these amendments passed by the Diocesan Councils as early as possible. In the Malabar Diocesan Council, it was brought up for consideration and announced as passed, when it was not even an item in the agenda of the Council. The Moderator was physically present to bulldoze this amendment in the Malabar Diocesan Council. In the Diocesan Council of Kochi, the bishop introduced the amendment as passed by the Synod falsely representing facts or else making a fool of himself by believing the letter from the General Secretary. The bishop must explain and make his stand very clear. How do you deal with a moderator who utters blasphemous lies and makes a fool out of the believers?

These incidents point to an extremely alarming state of complete subversion of all democratic processes, especially in the context of an indifferent and apathetic laity. Why this much of haste to get a few amendments passed which do not pose any life and death issue except that the serving moderator’s intention to continue in the same office for another term would be thwarted. He needs compliant chum has to be in the positions of Treasurer and General Secretary so that his misdeeds and misappropriations can be covered. In Dioceses, the Bishops need compliant officers. Thus, their interests coincide to allow also sorts of illegalities.

The same interests are rallying around a bye-law which the Synod Executive proposed and subsequently, passed by the Synod in contravention of CSI constitution that all Officers are to be elected by ballot. The Bye-law addresses almost the same kind of concerns represented in the amendments to the constitution. Using these bye-laws which are against the very constitutional provisions of the CSI, elections were held in the Malabar Diocese; elections are announced to be held in the Cochi Diocese. Bishops and the moderator seem to be bent on taking the believers for a ride. The moderator must step down owning responsibility for this grave moral turpitude. If not, he will have to face criminal charges against fraudulent act of submitting false affidavit.  

We all make mistakes and as humans, Bishops also err. But, falsely representing facts by a sworn affidavit, calculated to cover the tracks is a very deliberate act of sin and it is an act of sin against the Holy Spirit and such a bishop cannot remain in office; he has lost all moral credibility to continue in this office. Or else the Synod Executive must meet and throw him out. Hope there will be remnant to stand up for the truth.

Mr. T. J. John

Fence Eating the Crops

What would happen if a bishop acts against the basic tenets of Christianity, the Bible and the constitutional norms? The North Kerala Diocese – Laity, Clergy, the elected officers and the Executive Committee - finds itself in an unenviable position, as an onlooker, to the truant behavior of a bishop who has lost all sense of proportion in defending his undemocratic, corrupt and unjust actions.

The latest episode is related to the bishop’s US-Canada visit purported to be at the behest of the Ecumenical Fellowship to participate in their Christmas Programs. Our friends in the US can enlighten us on this Ecumenical Fellowship which had not found anyone else other than Bishop Kuruvilla to be their chief guest. We know that this Ecumenical Fellowship is as non-existent as the ‘CSI meeting’ that the Bishop had referred to in the Thalikulam sale deed, as authorizing him to sell the property. If he can enter into such a clandestine and unauthorized land deal, nothing prevents him from touting such blatant lies. The CSI North Kerala Diocese would be grateful to our fellow believers in the US if they could find a way to rehabilitate this bishop who has lost his moral right to shepherd a diocese.

This gathering gave a signal to the bishop that they might not just let him embark on his overseas trip. As can be expected from the devious mind of the bishop, the immediate response was to call the police. But the police backed off realizing that this is a standoff between the bishop and the officers and that they have a legitimate ground to hold the bishop accountable. This standoff continued till 1 pm on 14 December. On 14 December, to the disgrace of the august office of bishop and Christian witness, the police officers had to bring the bishop to the negotiating table and play the role of a mediator. The police officers had to preach to the bishop of the virtue of love and forgiveness and concern for the employees under his care especially at a time as Christmas. Finally, he signed the cheques necessary for the day to day administration of the diocese. He also compromised on his stand to let go of the hook another fraud and criminal henchman, the Presbyter of the CSI Christ Church (Tamil), Munnar, Rev. Immanuel Dasan and agreed to sign a show cause notice to Rev. Dasan for his glaring misappropriation of funds.

The way the bishop went out of the way to delay and detract the decision of the Executive Committee to remove Rev. Dasan from the chairmanship of the Christ Church, Munnar, illustrates the bishop’s complicity in many of the scams associated with the properties in Munnar. The sequence of events on the actions taken against Rev. Dasan is as follows: The Special Audit Wing of the Diocesan Treasurer’s office visited Christ Church, Munnar and found grave irregularities in the accounts. As per their report, the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee, the meetings chaired by the bishop, resolved to divest Rev. Dasan of the chairmanship of the pastorate and hand it over to Rev. Jacob Jabaraj. Then the bishop sent a letter conveying the decision of the Executive Committee and asking Rev. Dasan to hand over the charge to Rev. Jabaraj (below this post, see bishop’s letter of December 8, 2011). He did this to satisfy the diocesan officers. On the same day, by a letter not dated, he cancelled his own order sent to Rev. Dasan sighting flimsy reasons, probably at the instigation of Jacob Mathew, who was the main go between in the fraudulent property transactions in Munnar (below the post, see the letter). The Bishop thought that he could abscond after denigrating and defrauding the officers, the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the people in the pew in general. But they forced him to issue a show cause notice to Rev. Dasan.

But we can now anticipate the scheme of the bishop – Jacob Mathew - Dasan trio. Rev. Dasan will be given time to file a civil suit staying this order of the bishop and thus subvert all attempts to bring the criminals to book. Therein, the bishop can continue in his chair till his retirement, then go his way leaving the diocese monetarily, morally, spiritually bankrupt. While this will in no way shame the bishop or make him repentant of his ways, the developments of 13 and 14 December opened the eyes of a large section of the clergy and church members to the devil behind the purple cloak. The diocese and the Church of South India as a whole should hang their heads in shame for having such bishops of incorrigible moral rectitude. It is expected that the laity and the clergy would act more vigilantly in future to stem this rot in the church.

In the midst of these turn of events, we are faced with a synod that is indifferent to the church drifting into moral degeneracy. In the light of grave lapses, violations of CSI constitution and active complicity in various forms of corruption, the synod should be asked to intervene with a moderator’s commissary and a commission to investigate some of these gross misappropriations and mismanagements of Bishop Kuruvilla. If he thinks that he can go scot free with the retirement, he can be rest assured that he will not have a peaceful retirement. A number of criminal cases are in last stage of becoming admitted in various courts. It is yet to be seen what his next move would be. He is capable of surprising us with behaviors that the CSI or Christian history has ever envisaged in a bishop.

A Bishop Gone Intemperate

The democratically elected representatives to the various committees of the North Kerala Diocese are now confronting a situation where they have to deal with a bishop who is neither amenable to the constitution of the church nor to the democratic practices and structures. He even seems to lack the moral compulsions derived from the fear of God, as he would rather be a law unto himself.



On 2 August 2011, the Working Committee of the diocese met in the Diocesan Office in Shornur to discuss certain vital matters concerning the life of the Church. Arbitrary and vindictive action by the bishop on pastors and pastorates and about 40 members of the laity remain sore issues affecting the life of the church. The elected representatives were keen to resolve these vexing issues. The construction of the bishop’s house had been progressing with no controls whatsoever. The bishop has arbitrarily deviated from the approved plan, estimate, structural specifications and contract causing an estimated embezzlement of Rs. 50 lakhs.



The appointments already done in the four higher secondary schools recently sanctioned by the government also remain sticky issues. When the elected members and officers in the Working Committee raised these issues, the bishop walked out abusing the members and also the Moderator of the CSI, challenging what the Moderator would be able to do to him. His haughty and intemperate behavior does not have any rhyme or reason, and is bordering on what is characteristic of an unbalanced mind.



The Clergy Secretary is in a quandary as the bishop insists that the minutes of the last Executive Committee must be changed as per his dictates. The Treasurer and the Clergy Secretary are threatened with dire consequences if they do not follow his line. There was an instance of food poisoning in one of our orphanages in the diocese (Chembola, near Kozhikode) and 25 children had to be admitted in the hospital causing interference of the District Collector and other government officials. To deal with the exigencies of the situation and prevent further damage to our public image, the Treasurer required Rs. 1 lakh and the bishop refused to sign the check. He seems to have no responsibility to deal with such exigencies that vitally affect the life and witness of the diocese.



The bishop is bent on creating an administrative impasse. He refuses to submit to the constitution of CSI or the diocese or any democratic institutions or norms. He has no fear of God. He does not have the emotional maturity to settle the issues at hand rationally and congenially. In this situation, he should resign from his position as bishop of the diocese or go on a long leave. Or else, the Synod should act decisively and intervene to resolve this impasse. If no relief comes from these sources, the people of the diocese will be forced to resort to extra-constitutional means causing much damage to our Christian witness. The situation in the diocese is deteriorating day by day causing an erosion of morale at all levels of the church, for which the whole of CSI may have to pay a very costly price.



Till the last meeting of the present diocesan Council, the bishop has been dubbing the popular resentment against him as the handiwork of a few individuals with certain ulterior motives. This has been disproved and today, the situation is such that the entire Executive Committee and the Working Committee are against the bishop. There is no way he can sideline the elected officers and get things done as per his dictates. In this situation, we seek the urgent intervention of the Synod and the moderator in this matter and bring relief to the suffering believers of this diocese.

T. J. John, Secretary, CSI North Kerala Laity Fellowship

Corruption charges laid against the Bishop in North Kerala: The Church of England Newspaper, Jan 28, 2011 p 8.

The Church of South India (CSI)’s synod has taken charge of the administration of the Diocese of North Kerala after its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. K P Kuruvilla failed to convene the diocesan council.



North Kerala has been the scene of heated debates between its bishop and lay leaders.  In a letter to the moderator of the CSI dated Jan 21, the CSI North Kerala Diocesan Laity Fellowship accused the bishop of pocketing school funds. They alleged that since June 2010 the bishop had collected approximately Rs. 85 million rupees (£1.2 million) “through the appointment of thirty two teachers in four of the newly sanctioned higher secondary schools” in the diocese.



At a meeting of the diocesan executive committee held on Oct 20, questions about the disposition of the funds were raise.  The diocesan treasurer “admitted to have received only Rs. 15 million (£207,000). When asked about rest of the amount, bishop responded that the amount received cannot be divulged and the executive committee members [would] have to just trust him on this matter,” the complaint said.



A new diocesan council that included critics of the bishop was elected at the end of October, but the bishop did not convene the council.  Critics have charged the bishop with seeking to derail the new council so as to avoid an inquiry into diocesan finances.



Under the CSI’s constitution, if a diocesan council is not convened within 90 days of its election, its administrative responsibilities pass to the synod. On Jan 24 the synod appointed an interim council that included Bishop Kuruvilla and directed that a new council be elected and installed by May.



A number of CSI dioceses have witnessed conflicts between their bishop and clergy and lay groups. In May 2010 six clergy and a lay member of the Diocese of Rayalaseema staged a protest before the diocesan offices, calling for the ouster of Bishop K.B. Yesuvaraprasad.



A lay member of the diocese, Dr. Y.S. Thomas Reddy, had distributed tracts accusing the bishop of misusing diocesan funds and called for a protest at his residence on May 25. Bishop Yesuvaraprasad requested police protection, and when the protesters arrived they were arrested for a breach of the peace when they did not disperse.



Allegations of misconduct have also been leveled against the moderator of the CSI, while a criminal investigation is underway into the finances of the Bishop in Coimbatore, the Rt. Rev. Manickam Dorai. Last year the CSI synod dissolved the diocesan council and suspended Bishop Dorai pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.



Two other CSI dioceses are currently under the administrative oversight of the CSI synod. In the Diocese of Madhya Kerala the Bishop in East Kerala has been given temporary charge of the diocese following the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Samuel on Jan 24. In November the Diocesan Council nominated the Rev. Thomas Oommen and Dr. Oommen George to stand for election at the Jan 18 meeting of the diocesan synod. However, a dispute over the balloting has postponed the election pending a review by the provincial ecclesiastical court.



On Dec 25 the former moderator of the CSI, Bishop John Gladstone retired as Bishop in South Kerala. The Synod has appointed the Bishop in Kanyakumair to oversee the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.



Courtesy - http://geoconger.wordpress.com/

A Clarification from CSI North Kerala Diocese Officers

Click on the image for more clarity

Click on the image for more clarity

Bishop's Efforts to Sabotage the Synod Appointed Committee Foiled

It would have been better for Bishop Kuruvilla to step down like how Mubarak and Ben Ali did in Egypt and Tunisia. But no. Possessed by an unregulated appetite for more money and power, the bishop continues to conspire, throw tantrums, hurl abuses, and remain overprotective of his chair. The thought that he has lost all moral legitimacy to continue as the bishop of North Kerala Diocese has still not dawned in his mind and he remains hell-bent on subverting all democratic processes to have his way.

On the morning of 22 February 2011 at Shantigiri Ashram, near Aluva, Bishop Kuruvilla and a coterie of his loyal followers, which included Rev. Daniel George, Rev. Kurien Peter, Rev. N. K. Prasad, Rev. P. G. Thompson, Rev. Abraham Kuruvilla, Rev. Prince, Rev. Jacob Daniel, Mr. Jayan Samuel and Mrs. Soumini Jayan came to meet Rt. Rev. Vasantkumar, the Moderator of Church of South India. Overwhelmed by the number of visitors who had arrived at his room uninvited, the moderator ushered everyone out, since whatever has to be discussed would be between him and Bishop Kuruvilla and no one else.

Subsequently, the moderator reprimanded the bishop for all the trouble he had caused in the diocese and gave him a letter reconstituting the Synod appointed committee by removing two members from the existing committee and appointing three members loyal to the bishop. The moderator made it clear that he was doing this favour under the condition that all cases filed by the bishop would be withdrawn; no vindictive action would be taken against any member or clergy in the diocese; the finances of the diocese would be managed by P. C. John, a member of the synod appointed committee and a former IAS officer; and the bishop would not interfere in the financial matters of the diocese. Considering the moderator had done him a favour by appointing three of his loyalists into the synod appointed committee, the bishop should have been quite pleased. But, he was not. He stormed out of the moderator's room, using abusive language against the latter and calling him a thief bigger than Earnest Edapally. So much for his defence of 'ecclesiastical authority'.

Later that day, representatives of CSI North Kerala Laity Fellowship met with the moderator and conveyed their anguish over rendering relief to a bishop, who by his subversion of democratic processes brought about this impasse, when those aggrieved were the faithful members of the church who had been denied their democratic rights, and who now had no one to address their grievance to. The moderator, after giving a patient hearing, explained that it was the present circumstances that compelled him to take such a decision. The accounts of the synod and the various dioceses are under the investigation of Income Tax authorities, and the possibility of CSITA losing its Income Tax exemption is imminent. Under such circumstances, he preferred not to have any instability in the administration of the diocese as a result of prolonged litigations. He assured the representatives of the laity fellowship that this was only a temporary arrangement, for a period of three months within which, a new diocesan council and executive would be elected; the elections would be fair and Bishop Kuruvilla would not be allowed to interfere with it; in case the synod appointed committee failed to conduct elections within the stipulated time, he reserves the right to reconstitute a new committee and hold the elections; and finally, Bishop Kuruvilla would not be allowed to touch the diocesan money and all financial matters will be managed by a trustworthy member of the synod appointed committee, namely P. C. John. The moderator then sought the cooperation of the laity for the smooth administration of the diocese till 31st May 2011.

However, some of the later developments have raised certain serious questions about the legality and viability of the newly reconstituted synod appointed committee. Firstly, on 13 January 2011, through a proxy, Bishop Kuruvilla had acquired a court order from Hon. Munsiff Court, Kalpetta, restraining the original synod appointed committee from taking charge. On 16 February 2011, this court order was vacated. But, this ruling was kept in abeyance, as per the request of the plaintiff (bishop's proxy), until an appeal could be filed in an higher court. However, till today, bishop's proxy has neither acquired a certified copy of the court order nor gone for an appeal. In essence, the court order restraining the synod appointed committee from taking charge continues to stand as it is. This being the reality, the claim made by the bishop to the media that the newly reconstituted synod appointed committee has taken charge is nothing but a misrepresentation of facts.

Secondly, neither the synod nor the bishop has informed the original synod appointed committee, constituted on 13 January 2011 and took charge following the vacation of the interim injunction restraining them from doing so, of the formation of a new committee that would replace it. As far as the original committee is concerned, it continues to be an active and functional committee that cannot be reconstituted without sufficient reason and without following the appropriate procedures and protocols. It is learned that members of the original committee have now approached the court of law, questioning the arbitrary nature in which the existing committee was dissolved and a new committee was formed. Meanwhile, P. C. John, who had been entrusted with the financial responsibilities of the diocese and a member of the original and the new committees, has written a letter to the moderator expressing his unwillingness to work as treasurer in a committee with bishop as its chairman.

The final development that has sealed the fate of the newly formed synod appointed committee is the court order that came from the Ottapalam Sub-court on 1 March 2011. Following the formation of the new committee, Col. James Hunt, one of the members of the original committee and who ceases to be in the new committee, filed a case for declaring the original committee as the sole committee in charge and restraining the moderator and the bishop from handing over charges to any other committee. In response to this case, the Ottapalam Sub-court issued a court order restraining the newly formed committee from managing the finances of the diocese until the diocesan council elections are held and a democratically elected body is in place.

Given these developments, it has become clear that the move to hand over charges to a newly reconstituted committee, which was one of the last resorts of the bishop, has become null and void. Although it would be wishful thinking, at least now, good sense should prevail and the bishop should submit his resignation. If not, the restless people may soon storm the palatial bungalow he has just constructed and drive him out. The patience of the faithful believers have been tested and they are now ready to launch a people's movement to save the diocese.

Penitence has to be Matched by Corresponding Action.

Dear the Most Rev. Vasanthakumar,

Your action of appointing an interim administration as per 8 (12) of the CSI constitution is widely acclaimed throughout the diocese and is deeply appreciated by the CSI North Kerala Laity Fellowship, which is nothing but a constitutional obligation.

Bishop Kuruvilla, using proxies, filed two suits challenging the appointment of the synod administration and seeking interim injunctions, one in Ottappalam and the other in Kalpetta. By the timely intervention of some believers, the attempt to get an injunction from Ottappalam was foiled. But he managed to get an injunction from the Munsiff Court, Kalpetta. The argument on that case is completed and its final verdict is awaited on February 9, 2011. It is important that you pursue as to how the letter from your office, addressed to the Bishop and marked “confidential”, have reached the hands of the litigants and the lawyers in Ottappalam and Kalpetta.

In the meanwhile, the Bishop called a ‘fake’ meeting of the executive Committee and appointed a few of them as office bearers and attempted to operate the diocesan accounts in various banks. By the timely action of Rev. B. N. Fen and Mr. P. I. John and other believers that attempt was also foiled.

Subsequently, on January 29, 2011 the bishop sent out a notice calling for a meeting of the defunct Executive Committee on February 14, 2011 to fill the vacancies of the office bearers –the Treasurer, Lay Secretary and Clergy Secretary. It was after initiating such an action in defiance of the Synod leadership that he came to meet you in Bangalore on February 1. This is very typical of the bishop and his strategy and character.

Now we learn that Bishop Kuruvilla has sent you a letter of penitence and has requested you to reconstitute the Synod administration bringing false allegations against some of the members of the Synod appointed administration. The entire church has full confidence in their uprightness. We also would like to bring to your attention the fact that Col. James Hunt is a member of St. Mary's Church, Fort St. George, Chennai. He hails from a noble Christian Family with Basel Mission tradition and is well accepted in the community and belog to Vadakara, a suburb of Calicut.

We do not have to enlighten you on the fact that any reconstitution will be at the cost of your credibility and reputation. We also do not believe that his words of penitence will be matched by corresponding action. It can only considered as a strategic move to safe guard his vested interests once again. Otherwise, why should a bishop fear an interim administration which was brought into existence out of constitutional necessity?

While we understand the compulsions of you as moderator to be ‘pastoral’ in your relationship to the Bishop, we would like to remind you that due consideration may be given to the impact this will have on the larger church and on the large majority of clergy and laity who suffer under a high handed, dictatorial, vindictive and corrupt leadership. Several instances of corruption and especially the one related to starting Higher Secondary Schools, involving 8.5 Crore, have been brought to your attention.

In the absence of anybody in the diocese to represent and communicate the concerns and actions of the Synod, which the bishop should have been doing, we undertake that task within our limitations of resources and authority. Even in legal matters, we are forced to intervene in the larger interest of the church, which, by the way, coin sides with that of the Synod. It is a shame that even when a bishop is present in a diocese, the Synod is put in a position to fend for itself.

Kindly find enclosed/attached with this letter a copy of the email send out by a believer who listened to the Bishop’s sermon at the St. Mary’s Church, Calicut on Sunday, February 6, 2011 during a confirmation service, which reflects the feelings of the length and breadth of the church toward the Rt. Rev. Dr. K. P. Kuruvilla.

We hope that you will take these facts into heart and act pastorally to the flock that look up to you for the badly needed solace. We pray that God will provide you the necessary wisdom and courage to act firmly to resolve this impasse. We assure you of our prayer and support.

With grateful regards,

Yours sincerely

T J John

Secretary,

CSI North Kerala Laity Fellowship

Bishop Kuruvilla is Inviting Suspension

Dear Most Rev Vasanthakumar,

This is in reference to my earlier letters dated 20-11-2010, 18-12-2010, and 13-01-2011.

Bishop K P Kuruvilla

We are extremely grateful to you for the timely intervention, by which a constitutional breakdown has been avoided in the diocese. Sadly, Bishop Kuruvilla continues to remain belligerent. Bishop and his coterie are already making efforts, both in Chennai and Ernakulam, to get an ex-parte injunction against the officiating committee from taking charge. Yesterday, 19 January 2011, he called a few presbyters, district council members and church workers to the diocesan office at Shoranur. It is learned that he tried to compel them to sign on blank papers under the pretext of sending a memorandum to the synod. Fortunately, most of them refused to sign, but only to be threatened by the bishop with dire consequences. We have also learned that he is organizing a few people to prevent the members of the officiating committee from entering the diocesan office and taking charge on 25 January 2011.

We feel the cause of this panic on the part of the bishop is nothing more than his fear of being exposed further of his nefarious financial deals. Since June 2010, Bishop Kuruvilla has collected around 8.5 crores through the appointment of thirty two teachers in four of the newly sanctioned higher secondary schools. This is excluding the huge sums of money that has been collected for appointments in Malabar Christian College and other aided schools. This is a fact that is known to everyone in the diocese and has been covered well in the local media. In the executive committee that met on 20 October 2010, questions were raised regarding this and the treasurer admitted to have received only Rs. 1.5 crores. When asked about rest of the amount, bishop responded that the amount received cannot be divulged and the executive committee members have to just trust him on this matter. In the light of the present change in administration, the amount collected by the bishop would have to be naturally handed over to the administration with a detailed account informing from whom the money has been received.

The more pertinent question is in whose possession is this huge sum of money. Kindly note that since the government and its investigative agencies are already aware of this financial misappropriation, the appointments will never get approved. This is all the more so considering the money was collected against vacancies which were not approved in the first instance and for which no appropriate rank list has been prepared. It is learnt that the bishop has promised the candidates that he would return their money back in the event of their vacancies not being approved. If that is so, the liability of that will be on the diocese. Therefore, it is important that a detailed enquiry be conducted on this matter at the earliest. If the accurate figures of money collected is not ascertained and if that money is not recovered from the bishop and his associates, then the diocese may face a huge liability coming close to Rs. 10 crores. Attached are some of the press reports from the local dailies on the matter.

Now I have learnt, from reliable sources close to Bishop K P Kuruvilla that he is trying desperately to get suspended so that he can walk away without accounting and handing over physically this money.



Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

T J John

CSI North Kerala Laity Fellowship

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Again, court restrains Bishop Kuruvilla

The Honorable Munsiff court at Ernakulam restrains Bishop K P Kuruvilla from his vendetta against the presbyters who points out his misdeeds of fraud, forgery, corruption and His extra constitutional activities including rigging and other malpractices of the election to be held on 11-07-2010. Rev P J Jacob of CSI All Saints Church, Kalamassery and Rev Praise Thaiparambil of The CSI Christ Church at Elamkulam, Ernakulam are the petitioners.

A Little relief for the members of the Church

CSI North Kerala Bishop Rt. Rev K P Kuruvilla, Treasurer Rt. Rev B N Fenn, former chairman of the Trissur All Saints Pastorate committee Rt Rev Thomas Kora, Mr. Peter M John, and Mr. Edward John, Former secretary and treasurer respectively are accused of cheating, misappropriation of trust funds, breach of trust, protecting and shielding the accused etc.



Mr. N C Johnson, Nareshuparambil, former pastorate committee secretary (1984 - 1988) has filed a petition NB no. 3882/2010 in Honorable court of chief judicial Magistrate , Trissur on 1-6-2010 through advocate Thomas Mathew. Honorable Chief judicial Magistrate Smt. V Shiny has ordered the Trissur East Police to investigate and report to the court. Above mentioned accused by misappropriation, breach of trust and fraud, has cheated the faithfuls of the church of in the period of 2005 -2008 besides trying to protect and shield the accused. alleged sections are 403,406,409,417,418,420,120B,109 of Indian Penal code.

Former Bishop arrested for threatening priest

A former Bishop of a Church of South India diocese, facing charges of misappropriating funds, was arrested today for not appearing before a court which had summoned him for allegedly threatening a priest in Gudalur in Nilgiris district.



Manickam Durai, had been summoned by a Gudalur court following a complaint filed by Priest Raviraj alleging that the former bishop had threatened him, police said.



However, he failed to appear before the court after which the police arrested him from his residence this morning and produced him before the judge.



Police suspected enmity to be the reason behind Durai's action.



Durai is facing charges of misappropriating Rs three crore from the church funds and was asked to go on leave by the church authorities.

Bishop may act only as caretaker till new appointment: Chennai HC

Holding that Synod is the supreme authority of the Church of South India (CSI), the Madras high court has said the incumbent bishop of Madras Diocese could continue only as a caretaker bishop until the new appointment is made.



A ruling to this effect was given by a division bench comprising Justice M Chockalingam and Justice R Subbiah, on a matter relating to the continuation of V Devasahayam (60) as bishop of CSI beyond May 1, when his 10-year stint ended.



It all began with the Laity Association filing a civil suit in the high court to restrain Devasahayam from continuing in the post beyond May 1. It also sought commencement of election process to elect a new bishop. It also referred to a communication from the CSI moderator, stating that the bishop's term would end on May 1 and that he could continue as caretaker bishop of CSI until a new bishop takes over.



The bishop, on his part, filed a suit stating that as per the CSI constitution he could continue until age 65, and that he should not be restrained from holding the post beyond May 1. After a single judge upheld the case of the bishop, the present appeals were preferred by the Executive Committee of the Synod and JW Gladstone, moderator of CSI.



Allowing the appeals, the division bench said that as per clause 13 of chapter IX of the CSI constitution, Synod was the supreme governing and legislative body of the CSI, and it was the final authority in all matters pertaining to the church. In 1999, it was the Synod which unanimously decided to restrict the period of appointment for 10 years. "It has made the appointment for only 10 years, and this was also approved subsequently and informed to bishop Devasahayam. He also gave his consent in writing...Having accepted the appointment for a period of 10 years, now he cannot be permitted to say that he would continue till 65 years of age..."



Also, Devasahayam, who filed the suit against the Synod, did not seek the court's permission to sue an unincorporated body such as the Synod and hence the suit itself was not maintainable, the judges said. They then permitted Devasahayam to continue as caretaker bishop of the Madras Diocese until a new appointment is made.



Source: Times of India

Church administration in the hands of people who have no Christian character and experience

Below is the notice sent to Bishop K P Kuruvilla, to remove people who have no Christian character and experience from the governance of the church. This is with regard to Earnest Edapally, who is a executive member and working committee of the CSI north Kerala Diocese. He was found guilty of economic misappropriation, tampering of govt records, forgery and fabrication of govt. records, to cover up the misappropriation. And is suspended from govt. service as on June, 2009. Please find the Surspension, by order of Governer of Kerala. A notice was issued by Mr. T J John of Holy Trinity CSI church, College hill, Aluva, Kerala, for his removal from the said bodies of the church as per the provisions of the constitution of the Church of South India.





















From,

T J John (Member of Holy Trinity CSI Church, College hill, Aluva),

IV/542A, Prakrithi,

Swargam road, desom P.O,

Aluva – 683102



03rd May 2010



To,

Bishop K P Kuruvilla,

CSI north Kerala Diocesan office,

Shornur.





Dear Bishop,



Kindly refer to the constitution of diocese of north Kerala in the church of south India, printed as authorized and approved by the diocesan council held on 10 February 2009 and published by north Kerala diocese, CSI diocesan office PB no 104, shornur, Kerala – 689121 and printed at west life advertising, convent road Calicut – 32, and is claimed to be in force effective from 10 February 2009 of which copies are yet not available either in the diocesan office or in the book shops, or with the church authorities or congregation.



This has reference to Shri. Earnest Edapally, diocesan council member, executive member and the working committee member and also a close accomplice of your good self. In his capacity as Kunamangalam panchayath secretary, in the year 2002-2003 he had misappropriated 333 KG of rice meant for food against work for Govt. of Kerala, fabricating and tampering with the panchayath records. The Kerala state performance and audit officer verified and an enquiry is conducted and Shri. Earnest Edapally is found guilty and he is suspended from the govt. job as panchayath secretary with immediate effect by Govt. order no. 1584/ 2009 of 27-06-09 by order of governor of Kerala. The order copy is enclosed with.



By his action, he has forfeited his right to be a member of diocesan council by the constitution chapter 5 rule 35 read with rule 28 and chapter 2 rule 9 A. Consequently he has forfeited his membership in the executive and the working committee. Kindly treat this letter as an instrument of exhaustion of remedies as described in chapter 8 rule 3 before approaching appropriate court of law. Hence a reply of compliance of the constitution is required within 7 days from the receipt of this letter. Kindly act expediently and urgently since the matter is of purity of the church under chapter 8 rule 77 of the constitution.

Thanking you,



Yours truly



Sd/-

T J John

Enclosed Govt. order no. 1584 of 2009

CSI Bishop Booked for Cheating, Forgery

May 4 2010



Cases under various sections of the IPC were booked against a CSI church bishop, his family members and private secretary following a complaint filed by member of a church alleging misappropriation of funds by them, police said today.



A metropolitan magistrate court had yesterday instructed the police to investigate into the complaint, filed by a member of St Peter's church in kolar gold fields, against the bishop, his wife, daughter and private secretary, police sources told PTI.



The complainant had alleged that the four have cheated Church of South India (CSI) to the tune of several lakhs by fabricating documents pertaining to the Bishop Cotton Boys' school and Bishop Cotton Girls' school.



It was charged that the bishop and his wife maintained a joint account in a bank and transferred funds from school accounts to their personal accounts. The alleged fraud has been going on since April 2002, according to the complainant.



"We have booked cases under cases ipc 406 (criminal breach of trust), 417, 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 477 a (falsification of accounts) and are investigating into it", the sources said.



The two schools are among the city's oldest and controlled by central diocese of the CSI.



-----



Bangalore Mirror reports:

Bishop gobbles school funds

Bishop Vasanth Kumar’s bank statements prove funds were transferred from school to his personal account



Bishop S Vasanth Kumar, who is facing a police inquiry following allegations that he has misused funds belonging to Bishop Cotton Boys and Girls School, has landed himself in soup. Just a day before he called an emergency meeting of the Church of South India, Karnataka Central Diocese (KCD) to transfer heads of the institutions functioning under KCD, startling documents have surfaced indicting the Bishop of misusing funds to the tune of lakhs of rupees over a period of 5-6 years.



Following the complaint registered against the Bishop, Bangalore Mirror managed to obtain the Bishop’s personal bank account statements.



These statements indicate he has ‘misguided’ schools to transfer funds into his personal account instead of KCD’s official account.



The Bishop’s personal bank account statement issued by Vijaya Bank, Residency Road branch, for a period between April 2006 and October 2006 indicates Bishop Cotton Boys School had contributed Rs 4 lakh through its SB account no 6988 on May 2, 2006 to the Bishop’s personal account no 118401010017030.



KCD sources maintain the amount should have been remitted to KCD’s account (56133003164) with the State Bank of Saurashtra, Mission Road branch.



Apparently, the Bishop had used this Rs 4 lakh to dole out favours to some of his cronies and also pay his daughter’s credit card bills. This confirms the allegations made by I Sounderraj of St Peter’s Church in KGF who has filed a police complaint against the Bishop. It was Sounderraj who went to the magistrate’s court and lodged a private complaint against the Bishop.



Further, the court had directed the Cubbon Park police to register a case against the Bishop and investigate the matter.

According to sources, the Bishop had asked the girls’ school too to transfer funds to his personal account. Sources indicate the meeting called by the Bishop to transfer principals of these two schools may witness heated debates.



It is being said the Bishop is initiating action against principals to prevent them from handing over sensitive documents to the Cubbon Park police and spilling the beans about him.



It’s normal practice for institutions functioning under KCD to contribute some amount every year to the Bishop’s discretionary funds. But these funds should go to an authorised account of KCD, which will be audited every year.



The Bishop is answerable to KCD and duty-bound to show how he has used these funds. He cannot direct schools to transfer funds to his account.



According to sources, principals have the letters sent by the Bishop asking them to transfer funds to his personal account. If these letters are handed over to the police, the Bishop will be in deep trouble.

Misuse of Tsunami funds from American Episcopal Church

UPDATE: Statement by Episcopal Relief and Development

Update on the Church of South India



Episcopal Relief & Development has learned about the arrests of two former Church of South India (CSI) employees in Chennai, India, regarding the alleged misuse of funds related to tsunami relief efforts. The arrests were part of an ongoing local police investigation initiated by CSI, a United Church and a member of the Anglican Communion.



We are in the process of filing a separate legal action in accordance with our pledge of transparency and accountability to faithfully administer the funds that are received to assist vulnerable people. Two years ago, Episcopal Relief & Development raised concerns with the Church authorities when CSI failed to complete the financial reporting and required audits outlined in our agreement. Since then, we have suspended programs with CSI as we work to appropriately account for funds allocated in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.



In keeping with board policy, we routinely hire international accounting and auditing firms to assess multi-year and long-term program partnerships. This audit process ensures the proper use of donated funds. In the case of CSI, we did not receive the required audits and as is our policy, we suspended programs immediately in order to gain clarity about the work completed. After two years, we were forced to pursue legal action. We expect our lawsuit to be filed in India within the next few days.



This situation is highly unusual in our work. By and large, our global partners are extremely diligent in providing required reports and conducting audits. Our partnership with CSI was only a portion of our tsunami response efforts. As per standard plans and agreements, clean audits were completed with our church partners in both North India and Sri Lanka.



We hope that the Indian authorities will work quickly to resolve this matter. Episcopal Relief & Development’s sole desire is that this money be used to benefit the people who were impacted by the tsunami, as originally intended. As this is a judicial and legal matter in India, we cannot comment further about the current situation.



Episcopal Relief & Development is committed to complete transparency on behalf of those we seek to serve and our faithful donors. We are deeply grateful for their support and prayers at this time.



Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.



Two have been arrested in India and the search is on for others after an audit of funds donated by Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) revealed misuse at the local level, news services there report.



ERD had apparently donated funds to the Church of South India for tsunami rehabilitation work at some point in the past. (In terms of amounts given, local news sources are at odds.) Project money in this case went to development work in the coastal city of Chennai, targeting 22 dioceses.



According to a senior police officer with the Central Crime Branch, Recently new office-bearers assumed responsibility of administering the church and approached the US funding agency for more money to complete the ongoing rehabilitation work. However, officials at the ERD sought the account summary for the money allotted earlier and the work done till date. The [CSI's] church secretary Moses Jayakumar asked his predecessor [former CSI General Secretary Dr. Pauline Sathiamurthy] to submit the accounts, but she refused claiming that the ERD funds were allotted to her in individual capacity and argued that she was not accountable to the church office bearers. This led to a tussle and an internal audit carried out by the new office bearers revealed a mismatch in funds allotted and the rehabilitation work completed.



According to Express News Service, the fund had been intended ...for rehabilitating victims by constructing houses, buying them boats, fishing nets and medical facilities in 2005.



The fund was allocated to 22 dioceses of the CSI in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.



In the aftermath of Secretary Jayakumar's investigation, two persons were remanded to police custody and are currently in prison. Benatikta, daughter of Dr. Pauline Sathiamurthy, and a relative, Robert Sunil, have both been detained, while police are still looking for Dr. Sathiamurthy and her husband.



Police further report that both Benedicta and Sunil drew significant salaries off donated monies which were apparently used to purchase luxury automobiles.



For more details; click here

Scandalizing Christian Witness (Thalikulam Property Issue)

Unlike the Syrian Churches which had been in existence in Malabar/ Kerala, what is distinctive about the Church of South India is its evangelistic heritage inherited from the Missionary societies that constituted it. Missionary societies acquired large tracts of land all over the country for their evangelistic efforts which they had understood as brining wholeness and healing to individuals and cultures and working against all forms of dehumanizing tenancies in the existing social conditions.



They acquired large tracts of land for creating Christian communities that model the values of God’s kingdom and to carry forward the work of evangelization through our schools and hospitals. The missionary history in Kerala is one of transforming the total life of its social and cultural life.



With the formation of the Church of South India in 1947, these lands and institutions were transferred to the CSI Trust Association (CSITA). The transfer was fully completed in the North Kerala Diocese only in the 60s. The properties were transferred not to be sold away, but for their safe keeping and protection and use them for continuing the evangelistic ministries’ of compassion.



One of the arguments for selling these lands is that they are remaining without being put to proper use and hence, likely to be encroached upon. Surely that will happen when the inheritor’s of this legacy has no sense of mission and vision. Look around and you we will see a multitude of people who are “like sheep without shepherd, harassed and helpless” and “a field that is ready for harvesting”. But our church leaders do not have the eyes to see this, but rather their eyes are set on making quick money selling these lands and institutions.



Under an episcopacy that has become monarchical and a mafia of power mongers that develop around the episcopacy, our inheritance of valuable immovable assets are reduced to objects for sale and their illegal gratification. The stories of such instances of illegal land transactions abound and are shocking. They are done under the garb of good stewardship of resources and development of the church properties.



The mission of the present bishop of the North Kerala diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. K. P. Kuruvilla, and the treasurer, Rev. B. N. Fen seems to be that of engaging in shady deals of selling church properties or giving them for long lease in the shortest possible time without following the strictly laid out norms and procedures for selling them.



Such illegal transactions have already taken place in Munnar, Fort Kochi and Irutty and in many other places, the details of which are yet to be unearthed. One such land transaction in a long neglected congregation in Thalikulam, near Thrissur, that took place on 21/12/2009, is lifted up as a classic case for our further study and action.



In 2007, the Rt. Rev. K. P. Kuruvilla and the diocesan treasurer, Rev B. N. Fen entered into an agreement with Sri Abdul Khadar, Puthiya Veettil Kottalingal House, Uurumaniyoor P.O, Thrissur district, Kerala to sell Church properties surveyed under 101/5, 101/1A and 101/3A belonging to Chavakkadu Taluk, Thalikullam Village, totalling 2 acres and 73 cents for one lakh per cent and this agreement was continued to be revised every six months.



Finally, after almost three years , the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. K. P. Kuruvilla and the Treasurer of the Diocese, Rev. B.F.Fen, as power of attorneys of CSITA in North Kerala Diocese, on 21st of December 2009, executed three sale deeds, in violation of the directive from the CSITA against the sale of the said property and without following the procedures and norms demanded of selling trust lands. Thus, they sold 2 acres 23 cents to Sri Abdul Khader, 0.02 cents to Shri. P.G.Koshy, President, Sharon Fellowship, and 0.48 cents to Mohammad Salim, Ponnayur, Andathode P.O. Thrissur for a total amount of Rs. 95 lakhs 20 thousand.



While this is the amount shown in the sale deed, the proceeds from the sale are to the tune of 2 corer 73 lakhs, as per the agreement, is shown to be deposited in the CSITA account of the North Kerala Diocese in Shornur. The nature of the monetary transaction is not clear except that the amounts were deposited at different dates in the account of the CSITA Account in shornur.



It has also come to light that the final deposit of more than one crore was deposited only after a fortnight of the date on which final sale deed had been executed. These facts lend credence to the fraudulent and criminal nature of this deal. The following questions remain without any answer. The Bishop and the treasurer and the coterie of working committee are bound to answer these questions.



1. Some of the land transactions that have taken place in the recent past of the diocesan property in interior areas are for 1 to 2 lakhs of rupees per cent. The Thalikulam property which is by the side of NH17 should fetch at least a minimum of Rs. 4 lakhs per cent. Land worth Rs. 12 crore, by lowest estimates, has been sold for Rs. 2 core and 73 laks. Who are the persons in the administration of the diocese that have been illegally gratified themselves by this land deal and brought such heavy loss to the church and the CSITA?



2. How could they sell the land against the directive of the CSI synod not to sell it and by passing all the norms of transparency to be followed in the sale of Trust properties such as advertising the proposal for sale in leading news papers?



3. How could a public institution like the church, which should be above board when it comes to probity in public life, (leave alone any concern to be salt and light in a murky world), be party to a shady deal in which the financial transactions are not transparent and mostly unlawful.



4. How can they be party to falsely undervaluing the property in the sale deed and thus cause such heavy loss to the state exchequer.



What has been lost through these land transactions which are illegal and against the norms of truthfulness and transparency in public life is the credibility of Christian witness. These facts which are brought to your notice are true to the best of our knowledge and have been raised with at most responsibility. If any of my allegations are false they should prove it to the church and the public. Civil and criminal proceedings have been initiated against culprits.



The people in pew should not be mere spectators to this unfolding drama of nepotism and looting and besmirching of Christian faith. The rich inheritance that we have received from the missionaries is not to be squandered by a few within the church, but to be used for bearing credible witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.



This is only a tip of the iceberg. More are to be unearthed. It is a time when we should be vigilant and join in protest against such tarnishing of Christian witness and take a stand for truth, justice and love that has been exemplified in the person of Christ and to which we have been called to be witnesses.



A.D. Kurian George

Anthikat House

Nattika P.O

Thrissur





PS: Subsequent to this reporting, I filed a civil suit in the Hon. Munsiff Court in Trichur and the court has passed a restraining order to the buyers from alienating the land, developing it and also burying the dead (a piece of the cemetery was also sold to Pentecostal Church). The court instituted a commission to visit the said property and satisfy for itself the nature and character of the land.

Update about cutting of trees at Vaniamkulam, Shornur.

THE THIEF COMES TO STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY – John 10:10

The volume of trees felled valued around 2 crores....and the amount credited till today on the sale of the timber is only a paltry sum of Rs. 5 lakhs.

The former Bishop’s House of the North Kerala Diocese of the Church South India is situated in a more rural location in - called Vaniamkulam. The old Bishop’s house still remains in a 13.5 acres lush green, much neglected compound, as a standing monument to our callous disregard of the legacy that we have inherited from the missionaries and of our lack of vision and mission as a church.



The total area of the compound was 17 acres and what remains with us now is only 13.5 acres. The rest of the land has been encroached by the henchmen of Bishops from time to time. This property which is of the nature of the forest in legal terms has been coming under the frontal attack of those whose eyes are only in monetary gain since past few years. In April 2009, the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev K P Kuruvilla, allowed the felling of 330 number of teakwood trees from Vaniamkulam CSITA property.



Mr. Stanly Paul of Vaniamkulam pastorate, Ottapalam, approached the District Vacation Court, Palakkad, and filed a suit, by original suit no. 164/09 and filed a civil miscellaneous petition no. 14/2009 at the of the Honorable Munsiff court of Ottapalam. The volume of trees felled valued around 2 crores. By the time, a court commission visited the place, most of the timber was transported and the balance timber left there in the property was assesses to value Rs. 65 lakhs by the court commission. But over a period of one year, circumventing the law of the land and the CSI constitution, the bishop managed to sell the timber left behind to a timber contractor and the amount credited till today on the sale of the timber is only a paltry sum of Rs. 5 lakhs. In effect under Bishop K P Kuruvilla’s initiative and leadership, teakwood worth Rs two crores was alienated for a paltry sum of Rs five lakhs. CSITA and its attorneys in North Kerala Dioceses owe an explanation to the church member as per chapter IV of the CSI constitution. We also need to know besides the Bishop, who else have profited from this clandestine deal which actually would have fetched 2 crores to the CSITA and the Diocese.



In April 2010, the Bishop, by misrepresenting facts, and without the knowledge of the Church Worker, the Presbyter in Charge, the Executive Committee and the Property Committee, fraudulently obtained a pass from forest authorities to fell 6 number of teakwood trees, under the pretext that would be required for the construction of the Bishops house at Shornur. However, using this permission, instead of six mature trees they fell 60 immature green teakwood trees below the girth of 1.5 meters, without adhering to any norm fixed for cutting the trees under the Kerala Preservation of Tree Act of 1986 and the Kerala Restriction on Cutting and Destruction of Valuable Trees Act 1974. It is to be assumed that this could not have happened without the connivance of the officials of the forest department.



However the local congregation members prevented the transportation of this huge volume of logs scattered all around this thirteen acre plot, approximately valued at Rs 50 lakhs. Bishop and his henchmen, some of them local party members are working overtime to prevent media from covering this gruesome slaughtering of trees and telecasting. However the scene was telecasted by the local channels at Shornur and Ottapalam. A complaint is being lodged with the range forest officer who is also officiating as tree officer by Mr. Shaju George of Vaniamkulam congregation. Everyone is looking forward to the unfolding drama associated with this in the coming days.



We are left with many unanswered questions. A few trees may be required for the construction of the Bishop house, what are we going to do with the remaining large volume, which is valued at 50 lakhs. Can the diocesan officers sell the rest of the logs felled without permission? If so what is its sale value, and to whom will they be sold and for what purpose would the money be put to use? Who should be made accountable to this illegal and at the same time unconstitutional act by the Bishop and his accomplices? These questions are to be discussed and responsibilities fixed by the executive committee and the property committee. The action taken should be informed to the congregations as every member of CSI is a rightful owner of these properties as per chapter IV of the CSI constitution. But they are now be stolen and squandered by the Bishop and a spineless group of officers.

THE DEVIL COMES TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly



– John 10:10.

All our prized processions which we have inherited from our forefathers from the great missionaries of CMS and Basal mission- our mission compounds- our inheritance which we keep close to our hearts are being looted, squandered and destroyed. Whether it is Thalikulam property, Fort Cochin English bungalow, or Munnar property, all are being squandered. It is time that we react. NO, we are not going to let the DEVIL steal, destroy and kill. Wearing God’s armour, which is the word of God, We are going to fight with ALL our might. We will NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT! We are not going to let someone steal that which is ours, our most prized possessions.