Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 8: Members of Karnataka southern diocese of Church of South India (CSI) held a protest in the city on Tuesday August 8 against what they termed as illegal and unjustified actions as well as 'arrogant' attitude of the concerned. The protestors barged into the house of bishop of CSI Mangaluru diocese, Mohan Raj and levelled various allegations against him.

The protestors, who came from Mysuru and some parts of Dakshina Kannada, alleged that bishop Mohan Manoraj, in connivance with treasurer, Vincent Palanna, have been taking several illegal decisions without the approval of the executive committee of the diocese, thereby acting against the interests of the diocese. They wanted several decisions so taken to be reversed before the executive committee meeting is held, and urged the bishop to change his style of functioning and abandon his 'arrogant' attitude. They also warned of holding protest at all places within the limits of the diocese besides boycotting programmes involving the bishop everywhere.

The protesters said that provident fund organization, based on complaints received from some pastors, had raided the office of the diocese, and ordered the officials to immediately remit provident fund deducted from the employees to their office without delay. They alleged that to remit this money, the bishop and treasurer, without any authorization or concurrence of the executive committee, had raised loan of one crore rupees from AF&P Board and alleged that the above persons had misused the amount of above loan without remitting provident arrears which was also misused.

There was heated exchange of words as the protestors charged the bishop of taking control of Holdsworth Mission Hospital at Mysuru with the help of hooligans and dissolving of the board of the hospital that was constitutionally formed, duly nominating a 'ruffian' belonging to another religion who is supporting the bishop, to the board of the hospital. They alleged that the bishop had appointed his sister as superintendent of the hospital, who mismanaged the funds. Though she was terminated, the bishop was reluctant to order a thorough probe into the matter, they said.

They also alleged that the bishop, to serve his own interests, had transferred all accounts unilaterally to a private bank from a nationalized bank without informing anyone. They said that the building owned by the diocese at Sayyaji Rao Road Mysuru worth over Rs 100 crore, lease of which will end in 2018, should have been taken back through legal process. They said that the Bishop, instead of taking back the building which would earn eight to ten lac rupees per month as rent, is negotiating with the current occupants to extend the lease. They felt that increase in income would have helped the diocese to disburse salary to pastors promptly.

The CSI members said that salary of three officials who are close to the bishop has been increased, while salary of experienced and sincere employee, Lenin Ammanna, was pruned down unilaterally. They accused the treasurer of stopping payment of medical allowance to pastors by taking a personal decision, and bringing a new rule as per which the diocese to which pastors are transferred have to pay their transfer expenses.

The protestors also accused the bishop and treasurer of retaining the post of convener with the bishop for controlling the pastors, behaving badly with young pastors, appointment of Reshma Soans, who they said was ineligible to the post, as secretary of the bishop.

They also accused treasurer Vincent Palanna of misusing church funds and termed him 'autocratic'.

Police arrived at the spot and sent the protestors out, asking them to appear in the police station to resolve the matter.

Bishop denies allegations

Speaking to daijiworld, bishop Mohan Raj denied all the allegations and said, "I took all the decisions as per the constitution of the church and after seeking permission from the executive committee members. I have never been involved in nepotism. The appointment of my sister to Holsworth Mission Hospital in Mysuru as medical superintendent was not my decision. The executive committee appointed her.

"The allegations are being levelled with an intention to defame the current executive committee. Some of the former executive committee members are behind this. I am open and ready for any probe," he said.

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