From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 19: Plans for erection of the statue of pro-Kannada protagonist priest, late Fr Chowrappa Selvaraj, was widely known as Fr Chasara and one of the six priests charge-sheeted in the gruesome murder of the then Rector of St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary Fr K J Thomas on April 1, 2013, are sought to be halted by Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras.

It may be recalled that the 61-year-old Fr Chasara died in Bengaluru on March 15 and his funeral was held as per the wish of the deceased priest and his family members at St Joseph’s Church at Briand Square in Chamarajpet on March 17.

As per handbills purportedly printed by the villagers of VishwanathaNagenahalli and also notices posted in the social media, a statue of Fr Chasara is scheduled to be unveiled at the premises of St Paul the Hermit Church in RT Nagar in the city on Sunday, April 24, at 11 am.

Other accused priests, lay persons involved

The handbill, a copy of which is available with Daijiworld, Fr A Thomas, who is also accused and charge-sheeted in the murder of Fr K J Thomas and is the President of Karnataka Catholic Dharmagurugala Balaga, will be offering the mass on the same Sunday in the St Paul the Hermit Church at 9.30 am prior to the unveiling of the statue.

Four other priests – Fr I Anthappa, who is also accused and charge-sheeted in the murder of the then Rector three years ago, Fr T S Amrutharaj (both of whom residing at the Clergy Home of Archbishop’s House), Fr J Rayappa of Mysore Diocese and Fr Vincent Santhosh, Parish Priest of St Paul the Hermit Church – will be invoking blessings.

Noted Kannada writer Dr Siddhalingayya’s name has been mentioned for unveiling the statue while Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief T A Narayana Gowda is scheduled to preside over the function.

Two other accused and charge-sheeted persons in the murder of Fr K J Thomas – Rita Rini, Editor of Maatukate, and Raphael Raj, General Secretary of Akhila Karnataka Catholic Kristhara Kannada Sangha, as well as Dr BanjagereJayaprakash, Kannada Book Authority chairman, V C Channegowda, Secretary, Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Pravindutt Stephen, film music director, R N Chandrashekar, writer, Chinnaraju, social worker, and Parvateesh Bilidale, Editor of Sanket, are billed as the chief guests.

Archbishop confirms but declines to share details

It is learnt that the Archbishop has officially written to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner N S Megharik regarding the plans for installing a statue of late Fr Chasara in the campus of St Paul the Hermit Church in Nagenahalli and has made it clear that "such installation is prohibited both in the church and in the church compound as per the Code of Canon Law" and hence "the plan of installation is contrary to Canon Law and cannot be permitted under any circumstances now or in the future."

The Archbishop, in his letter to the City Police Commissioner, has also stated that he has "already instructed Fr Vincent Santhosh, the Parish Priest of St Paul the Hermit Church, and others concerned that this proposed installation is contrary to the Code of Canon Law and cannot be allowed at any cost" and has also requested the City Police Commissioner "to take suitable actions and to give protection to Fr Vincent Santhosh and to the church property."

When Daijiworld contacted the Archbishop, he merely stated that he has taken all necessary steps as head of the Archdiocese and also as per the Code of Canon Law. While declining to share the contents or copies of the letters, he said the matter could be independently verified as has already consulted several key persons, including all members of the College of Consulters of the Archdiocese.

Canon Law violation not permitted

One of the prominent members of the College of Consulters also confirmed the information and mentioned that Canon 1187 of the Code of Canon Law, which governs the functioning the Roman Catholic Church all over the world, clearly "prohibits installation of a statue or image of any person, who is not duly beatified or canonised" in the church or the church premises.

The member of the College of Consulter, who did not wish to be identified, said the Archbishop has issued a stern warning to any of the priests or lay persons attempting to install the statue in violation of the "Decree of Canonical Warning" holding out the threat to "close down the church till the damage has been rectified and impose further sanctions" against all the offenders as per the Canon Law provisions.

The Archbishop has reportedly asked the priests to "reply to the notice to acknowledge receipt and report compliance with the directions," the College of Consulter member disclosed.

Another priest told Daijiworld that the decision and actions initiated by Archbishop Moras were commendable and a lesson for Dioceses not only in Karnataka but outside too as erection of the statue of any person – either priest, religious sister, brother or lay person – in the church or its premises was likely to lead to public worship, homage, prayers, lighting of candles or offering flowers etc unless such persons have been officially raised to the status for veneration as Servants of God or those who have been beatified or canonised. Once a precedent is set up in any one church, it could lead to similar acts and would be very harmful, the priest said.

It is understood that similar Decrees of Canonical Warning have been issued by the Archbishop to Fr A Thomas, Parish Priest of KristhaKarunalaya Church in Jaraganahalli on Kanakapura Main Road in the City, Fr I Anthappa and Fr T S Amrutharaj at the Clergy Home of Archbishop’s House campus, and also Fr J Rayappa, Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier’s Church in Mysore, with a copy of the letter to the Bishop of Mysore Diocese.

Meanwhile, what happens on Sunday, April 24, or later, remains to be seen.