Church property sale ban welcomed

Some Christians have welcomed a recent ruling that disallowed the sale and redevelopment of properties managed by the Church of North India (CNI), a union of Protestant Churches.

The Mumbai Charity Commissioner recently ruled that the Bombay Diocesan Trust Association (BDTA) is only a guardian of properties and it cannot sell them at will.

BDTA was formed by CNI's several small and big trusts to manage more than 4,000 Church properties in Mumbai. The association claims the redevelopment of the properties is needed to maintain churches. Parishioners who suspect the association's motive have opposed the proposal.

A faction of the BDTA had sought the charity commissioner's permission to sell the transfer of development rights (TDR) of St Peter's Church, Mazagaon, a Mumbai suburb.

The commissioner refused to allow the sale of TDR and asked the association not to make attempts to demolish heritage structures on the plot, including a church, reported the Daily News and Analysis, a Mumbai-based newspaper.

"The historic judgment by the charity commissioner has delighted all parishioners, worshippers, and the entire Christian community," said Cyril Dara, an activist who had initiated criminal suits against the BDTA.

Echoing similar view Sharad Surve, another Christian, alleged BDTA was conspiring against the community and the parishioners have condemned the association's "illegal activities."

Sandeep Gaikwad, president of the CNI's All-India Legal Committee People's Synod, says all churches in the country are maintained by worshippers and the Christian community through donations, membership fees and offerings.

"But these salaried bishops and priests were indulging in disgusting, shameful activities," he added.

Gaikwad alleged the existence of a nexus between bishops and the BDTA, as no action was being taken to stem the rot. But "the community will see to it that these people are prosecuted and punished by the government," he added.