Section of priests launch indefinite fast seeking Alencherry's

A section of Catholic priests who have been protesting reinstatement of Cardinal George Alencherry as Major Archbishop of the Ernakulam Archdiocese, Thursday launched an indefinite fast at the Bishops House here seeking his removal.

Police have been deployed outside the Bishops House.

Earlier in the day, representatives of priests reached the House and held talks with the Cardinal on various issues pertaining to the archdiocese including controversial land deals allegedly involving the top priest.

They, however, were not satisfied with the Cardinals response and declared an indefinite fast and prayers at the Bishops House seeking the removal of Alencherry as the Major Archbishop.

"The Cardinal should be removed from the administrative responsibility of the Archdiocese as he failed to protect its priests and laity," a protesting priest told reporters here.

He said the priests demanded that the suspended auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese should be brought back to their posts.

The protesters said the Cardinal should not be allowed to chair the meeting of the Synod "as he is an accused in many cases."