Faithful protest against their Bishop in Kerala

The bishop said that the protesters need not enter the church as they live as scheduled caste Hindus.

Kottayam:

(UCAN)- A group of Christians belonging to CMS Anglican Church in Kottayam began a protest accusing their Bishop Stephen J Vattappara of misusing overseas funds he receives in the name of the Church.

A section of them offered Sunday prayers on the side of a road in Kottyam after the bishop allegedly prevented them from entering the church by locking the main entrance.

The protesters in a memorandum alleged that he closed the doors of the church at around 9.30 in the morning when they came to offer prayers.

They said the bishop had ousted some of the committee members who wanted the financial records of the church publicized last month.

He then posted new committee members without conducting any election. He was receiving funds even from foreign countries, but was not ready to show the accounts to the diocese. Instead, he was acting vengefully against those raising questions against him, they said.

Meanwhile, the bishop said that the protesters need not enter the church as they live as scheduled caste Hindus and only occasionally come to the basilica, that too for personal gains.

The Chingavanam police team that reached the spot asked both sides to file their complaints on Monday.

The protesters later offered prayers on the roadside