Catholic priests call off stir following conciliatory talks

A section of Catholic priests belonging to the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese Saturday called off their indefinite stir demanding removal of Cardinal George Alencherry from the post of major archbishop following conciliatory efforts by some influential Bishops.

The priests ended their stir a day after an agreement was reached between the agitating priests and the Bishops who are members of the Permanent Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church.

The priests had launched their protest at the Bishop's House on Thursday.

A representative of the priests, Father Joseph Parekkattil, had been observing indefinite fast at the Bishop's House here since the priests declared their agitation against the Cardinal.

Announcing their decision to end the agitation, the protesting priests said the bishops have responded positively to their demands including on the issue of cases filed against the laity and the priests of the archdiocese in connection with a 'church document forgery case.'