With ‘NO’ Response from Bishop, Cordelites still Struggle for Justice

With ‘NO’ Response from Bishop, Cordelites still Struggle for Justice

This is not only a shame for the parishioners of Holy Cross Church-Cordel/Kulshekar but also to the Catholics of other parishes, that a Catholic Priest by the name of Fr Valerian Pinto, who preaches and teaches the good word of God has committed a severe crime by swindling lakhs of Rupees from Kulshekar Church – and even after so much pressure from the parishioners to return the money back to church, Fr Pinto has been reluctant in doing so. This is the 11th Thursday that the Cordelites have been holding a candlelight protest at the Bishop’s House, but until now the Bishop being the head of the Mangaluru Catholic Diocese hasn’t come forward to meet these protesting parishioners.

Mangaluru: March 2, has been the eleventh Thursday in a row that the angry parishioners of Holy Cross Church-Cordel/Kulshekar have been holding a unique candlelight protest in front of the Bishop’s House-Kodialbail urging the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza to recover more than Rs 5 crore swindled by the Holy Cross church former parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto between May 2008 and May 2015. For the last, so many Thursdays, nearly 50-60 parishioners of Cordel have been taking part in the prayer service by wearing black T-shirts, which read “Cordelites Struggle for Justice”, along with other devotees between 7 pm to 8 pm and singing hymns outside the Bishop’s House with lit candles.

Even though they want to meet the Bishop personally, the Bishop has been avoiding them. But why? A priest of the diocese has swindled the money, and it is the responsibility of the Head of the Diocese aka Bishop to solve this issue and come out with a proper solution. But sadly, that’s not been happening till now- and these parishioners think it may not happen since they believe that an individual with political influence is playing games on this issue. Oh well! The truth will speak out soon, for these parishioners have full faith in God, if not for the Bishop?

With the statue of Jesus Christ in the background at the Kodialbail Church, nearly 60 Cordelites (Parishioners of Holy Cross Church- Cordel/Kulshekar) prayed together asking the Almighty to bring justice to them, a case which has been prolonged for long. The prayer was led by George D’Souza- former secretary of Cordel Parish Council along with Praveen Patrao – Vice President of the Council and Joseph Cutinha – former secretary of the Council.

One of the protesting parishioners of Cordel Church, Praveen Patrao, speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “Our protest will not end until justice is served- we will continue this candlelight vigil protest until a week before Maundy Thursday. The cheque of Rs 4,89,000 issued to us as part of the swindled money by Fr Valerian Pinto has bounced thrice, and that money is still not been settled. We have filed a case against the priest for issuing a non-sufficient funds cheque. Our Bishop is trying to stay out this issue, even though he is the head of the diocese and should settle this problem soon.”

Following the candlelight protest, a Booklet named, “Real Facts and Struggle for Justice” was released by one of the senior parishioners – Joseph Cutinha. The booklet contains a bird’s eye view about the nature and quantum of misappropriation that took place in the Holy Cross Church, Cordel Kulshekar, Mangalore during the term of the previous parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto while he was the Vicar of the parish for the period 2008 -2015.

Following are the contents of the booklet:

Purpose:

1. The diocesan clergy, religious and faithful of both Udupi and Mangaluru were making repeated inquiries about the misappropriation issue.

2. Since the demand for justice has taken more than 30 months and yet justice seems to be a mirage it was decided to inform all the concerned the true story and the various stages of the Cordialities’ struggle for justice so that those who are interested may know the facts:

• The first stage was seeking an amicable settlement with the parish priest only within the four walls of the church office. But the priest not only remained adamant and nonresponsible but also continued to abuse power and authority besides the public funds given as donations for specific purposes.

• The matter had to be brought to the notice of the Bishop since the parish priest was a representative of the Bishop. Again it was within the four walls of the office of the Bishop.

• When the priest even disregarded the orders of the Bishop Cordelites demanded that Canonical action is taken.

• When the priest was removed from Cordel overnight and subsequently appointed as the parish priest of Fajir Church

• The prominent laity of the diocese under the leadership of Walter D’Souza, brought pressure on the Bishop to resolve the matter amicably and requested him to bring suitable measures for transparency and accountability in all church matters.

• Bishop appointed a fact-finding commission under Fr Valerian D Souza, Parish priest of Milagres and 4 lay persons of Milagres but the commission failed to submit even its preliminary report until May 2016 [appointed in August 2015] Cordelites got enraged doubting the very intentions of the appointment of the commission as an eye wash.

• Meanwhile, the Finance Committee of Cordel Church appointed an independent commission under the leadership of Allen C A Pereira, Former Chairman and Executive Director of Bank of Maharashtra with four prominent lay persons of repute.

• In May 2016, Cordel Parishioners about 50 in number approached the Bishop’s House to know the status of the Fr Valerian D’Souza commission report but the Bishop not only refused to talk to them, he even called the police force to flush out the parishioners from his premises. However, when the law enforcing authority realized that people have documentary evidence of large-scale misappropriation of parish funds demanded that the Bishop should meet the parishioners and sort out the issue before it becomes a law and order situation.

• Heeding to the warning the Bishop held a meeting with the parishioners under police surveillance and the whole proceedings were videotaped.

• The parishioners reached the videotaped proceedings of the meeting to all parish priests of the diocese as a proof of the legitimacy of their demands.

• Cordellites are yet to get a copy of the report supposed to have been submitted to the Bishop towards the end of May 2016.

• On 30th May 2016, most probably based on the findings of Fr Valerian D’Souza Commission report, Fr Valerian Pinto was called by the Bishop in the presence of a couple of senior priests and consultors of the Bishop wherein Fr Valerian Pinto confessed to misappropriation during his term, owned sole responsibility and promised restitution. He wrote an apology in his own handwriting.

• However later he made a U-Turn and disowned the apology saying that he gave it under duress, and even the cheque for a small amount of Rs 4,89455/- given towards part payment of misappropriation has bounced thrice and a criminal case has been registered against Fr Valerian Pinto.

• Fr Valerian even sent a petition to Vatican making serious allegations against the Bishop himself about his involvement in misappropriation and sought for justice.

• To deal with the new situation, Bishop appointed one more commission – an ecclesiastical one- with Fr Antony Serrao as the convener. Other priests are Fr Vincent Monteiro, consultor, Fr William Menezes, PRO, Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary and Fr Valerian D’Souza, the chairperson of the earlier commission. They have submitted a report unanimously confirming large-scale misappropriation by cheating, forgery, fraud, impersonation and misuse of funds for personal gains.

• The Audited statement of accounts for the year 2016-17 show a sum of Rs 19,80,000/- due from Fr Valerian Pinto as Cash in Hand when he left on the night of 25.5.2015

• Ever since Fr Valerian Pinto wrote to the Vatican, the Bishop has resorted to silence and inaction.

• Hence Cordelites resorted to a novel mode of protest – about 60 senior parishioners on an average attend the prayer meet on every Thursday at 6:00 pm wearing black shirts seeking justice to Cordel and after the prayer session they assemble before the Bishop’s House with lit candles and offer prayers for justice. Finally, before they leave the place a greeting card is sent to the Bishop reminding him of pending justice. This is going on for the last 11 Thursdays.

The booklet contains some of the copies of the original documents regarding:

• Diary of events – description
• Handwritten apology of Fr Valerian Pinto
• Bishop’s letter to the Vicar informing him the contents of the apology
• The cheque was given by Fr Valerian Pinto for Rs 4,89,455/- and Bishop’s covering letter saying that the cheque is towards payment of part of misappropriation
• Proceedings of the meeting with the Bishop, given under his seal and signature
• Modus operandi of misappropriation
• Measures taken by the Bishop
• Glimpses of struggle for justice
• Report of the auditor and his remarks
• Media publicity

Cordel Parishioners questions: All fingers point at the Bishop – Is Caesar’s wife above suspicion?

1. How does the bishop justify this inordinate delay in resolving Cordel issue despite the fact that large-scale misappropriation by Fr Valerian Pinto?
2. If Bishop felt that there was no misappropriation why did he give Rs 15 lakh to Cordel to settle issues amicably?
3. Why was he removed from Cordel overnight when he had charges of misappropriation?
4. Why was he given a parish without clearing the charges? What message did it send to the parishioners of Fajir?
5. At least after the apology and after receiving the two reports of the commission appointed by the Bishop why did he allow him to continue as parish priest of Fajir?
6. Why did the Bishop hesitate to take action according to Canon Law?
7. Why did the Vicar General, holding a position of responsibility in the diocese, accompany Fr Valerian Pinto in a procession along with several priests from the Bishop’s House and enthrone him as Parish Priest?
8. Why was Fr Victor Machado made to take charge of the Cordel Parish on the same day and same time as Fr Valerian Pinto was to take charge in Fajir, but no one to hand over charge to Fr Victor Machado, also a senior priest who was the former Rector of the Seminary?
9. Did the authorities of Vatican prevent the Bishop from taking action against Fr Valerian Pinto?
10. Did Fr Valerian Pinto make charges of Corruption against the Bishop and write to the Vatican.?
11. How does the Bishop justify his silence on the issue and his inaction after the matter was referred to the Vatican by Fr Valerian Pinto?
12. Is the whole issue a reflection of the administration of the Bishop over the last two decades?
13. It is gathered that Cordel is not an isolated case, there are allegations of misappropriation in other parishes and institutions too. What measures are contemplated to ensure transparency and accountability of public funds?

Finally, as I had mentioned in my last report, and I want to say it again, It is important to be a wise steward of your donations so they are used most effectively. This is not an easy assignment. Most of you reading this won’t have the same problem in finding out how to responsibly distribute your hard earned money, but whatever you donate, make sure that the funds are being used wisely. You never know, you may witness many corrupt, evil, deceptive, & UNHEALTHY things may go on in your church. The truth comes out when someone spills the beans or the concerned church authorities are caught red handed. I believe that those blessed must return to the neediest, several folds. Or we will have to keep quiet and pardon some of these clergies, and follow what Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But remember to Tithe wisely!

If you need details or copy of the booklet you can contact: Praveen Patrao- 9845082536; Michael D’Souza- 9449056820; George D’Souza- 9448723181

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Also Read Related Articles Below:

• Thou Shalt Not Steal! ‘Parish Priest Scammed Over Rs 1 Crore of Church Funds’ say Faithful

• Mangaluru: ‘Bishop and Diocese should Sleuth into Church Funds Scam by Fr V Pinto’- Parish Council VP Patrao

• Why Bishop is NOT Obliging Cordel Parishioners Demands

• O Bishop, Where Art Thou? Cordel Parishioners Still Seeking a Settlement