JUDITH News | 19/4/2004 News
The expulsion of an elected member of the management board at Portuguese
Church in Dadar is being questioned by a section of its parishioners. The
removal of Judith Monteiro has become a point of debate for its nearly 7,000
members. Parishioners who have supported Monteiro have asked the church’s
clergy and the archbishop to explain the removal. Monteiro, a Dadar resident
who was removed apparently after a dispute over church’s finances, filed a
petition this week with the Charity Commissioner asking for an inquiry into
the expulsion.Monteiro has been accused of swindling finances during a
church event a year ago. She also served a notice of defamation against the
church’s clergy for making this accusation. According to church members,
this could be the first time in the history of the church in Mumbai that its
priests have been served a defamation notice. Unlike other parishes where
the parish priest is the sole trustee of parish property, Portuguese Church
has a five-member
board including clergy members and elected parishioners to control its
finances. The board was formed in the nineties after a 25-year-long court
battle by parishioners. The church is one of the richest in the city with
landed properties. Much of it has been sold; but it is still a substantial
landowner.Monteiro, a public relations person in her 30s, is known to be an
active organiser of church events. She was elected into the management
council in March 2001 and later became its secretary before her expulsion
last year. She says she was removed because she refused to give a general
power of attorney to the parish priest. “I was not liked because I regularly
questioned procedures at board meetings,” she said. Father George Fernandes,
a priest at the church said, “Monteiro was given reasons for her removal.
But she has questioned the procedure of her removal.” A church volunteer
said parishioners wrote to the archbishop and charity commissioner
questioning the expulsion.“But
we were not given any reasons. Judith was a sincere church worker and we
have come to know the reason she was removed was not right,” the volunteer
said.
Zonal bishop Bosco Penha denied parishioners questioning the expulsion have
approached him. “The parish council and the board of management expelled
Judith Monteiro because most members felt it necessary for their smooth
functioning. "Judith appealed to the bishops with regard to the expulsion
and the bishops confirmed the expulsion was in order,” he said in a faxed
statement.
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CHURCH MEMBER'S EXPULSION CREATES ROW
(Mon. April 19. 2004. Mid-day Mumbai pg 6)
Judith was accused of swindling finance / funds of an event which was not
even church oriented but by the friends & well-wishers of the Christian
brothers for the Salvation school; which was organized by her. The funds
(which amounted to 1 lakh) were handed over to the brothers even before the
accusations were made. They are shocked at the accusation & are supporting
her; The person (Ms Lourdes Fernandes) who had pointed the accusing finger
was not even present at or after the incident & had no authority from the
brothers to speak on the subject.
The parish organized a signature campaign & send a letter to the Cardinal
demanding proof & explanation why she - their Elected Council member &
Elected Trustee was expelled... with no reply! Bishop Bosco Penha confirmed
that "The expulsion was in order" despite the fact that an inquiry team sent
him a letter saying they couldn't go ahead .as there was no paper work (even
though he put up the investigative team) to prove the accusation..If there
was no investigation conducted (which was confirmed by Rodney during the
time he was questioned by the Charity Commissioner) and the bishop in his
letter says he has the highest regards for her as a person, with no
investigation concluded how come she is guilty ? how is the expulsion in
order ?
FACTS
Ms. Judith Monteiro an "ELECTED PARISH COUNCIL MEMBER" & AN "ELECTED BOARD
MEMBER"
REASON THEY WANTED HER OUT
1) She & another Trustee (Francis) refused to sign the power of attorney to
Fr Vernon Aguiar despite pressure from him.
2) She refused to sign blank vakalatnama presented by Fr Vernon Aguiar;
3) She demanded papers to be read & re negotiated (if required) on the sale
of properties before signing deals & contracts.
4)Her request that flats which will be eventually given to parishioners at
discounted rates to be given 1st to the poor then after to those who could
afford & last of all to those who already have availed the privileges of the
church properties.
Her hesitation to sign documents against Court Order of '95 (5 yrs -3 yrs),
which governs the Scheme of the Trust, resulted in her expulsion.
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