COIMBATORE: At last, the Synod's executive committee after discussing various issues confronting the Coimbatore CSI diocese finally came out with some path-breaking steps by dissolving the executive committee with immediate effect and constituting an administrative committee consisting of members from outside the diocese.
Synod moderator S Vasanthakumar, who chaired the two-day executive committee meeting on July 1 after extensive deliberations with members from 22 diocese resolved to dissolve the Coimbatore diocese executive committee besides asking Bishop Dr M Dorai to go on sabbatical leave till the 'fact finding' committee team submits its final report.
The newlyconstituted administrative committee comprises Dr Daniel Ezhilarasu as secretary, Charles Chelladurai as financial administrator, P S Enos as administrative officer and members Ravindran, Jefferson, Rajendran and Sabu Thomas, who would look into the administration of Coimbatore diocese. Vasanthakumar will take charge of the diocese with immediate effect and would perform the administrative, financial and episcopal functions.
According to Synod sources, the executive committee took note of various problems including criminal and civil cases filed against Bishop and other members of the executive committee, series of complaints made by scores of people to Synod and representations given by individuals during the visit of the fact finding committee to various places.
Moderator also pointed out to the grave situation prevailing in Coimbatore diocese after the treasurer of the diocese I Manuel Packiaraj submitted his resignation and Dr Paul Vasantha Kumar, Bishop of TiruchyThanjavur diocese, who was holding additional charge of Coimbatore diocese making a plea to relieve him with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, E Prem Kumar, on whose complaint the CBCID conducted detailed inquiries into allegations of misappropriation of diocese funds by Bishop Dorai and 30 others, moved the Chennai Civil Court seeking removal of Dorai on July 2. The emergency petition, which came up for hearing before Justice Vijaykumar ordered notices to moderator, general secretary and Bishop Dorai and adjourned the case to July 14.
It all started when the members of the Church of South India People's Welfare Centre led by its president B Thangasamy and general secretary V Devarajiah staged a token fast at Gandhipuram on June 16, 2009 protesting against gross misuse of power by Bishop Manickam Dorai by siphoning off diocese funds along with his brothers.
The Synod just brushed off the complaints sent by scores of diocese members against Dorai. However, E Prem Kumar, shot the first salvo by sending a detailed complaint to the DGP, seeking a fullfledged inquriy into the bishop's affairs.
Finally, the CBCID sleuths were entrusted with the job of a thorough probe. Though two persons who were arrested jumped on bail, while Bishop fearing arrest had obtained anticipatory bail.
Later, Bishop Dorai was arrested on a complaint from a pastor on charges of threatening him.
The entire administration at the Coimbatore diocese came to a grinding halt as Bishop Dorai was asked to go on leave. None of the committees at the diocese were convened. And the diocese was in turmoil as things were in disorder without proper head.