Bishop denies allegations

Kolkata – Church of North India Bishop Rt Rev PSP Raju recently sought to clarify his actions by saying that he has not done anything unfair as alleged by his detractors on a number of issues.

The bishop said this at a recent press conference where priests, church secretaries, treasurers and principals of the schools run by the church were present.

Regarding the allegations about influencing admissions to school, the Bishop said that the school committee and the board of governors manage the admission process and he never influences any of their decisions.

“It’s me who has made the admission process more transparent,” he said.

The Bishop said that schools such as La Martiniere, St Thomas’ and St James’, which are related to the Diocese, will open new branches.

He brushed aside the charges leveled against the refurbishing of the Bishop’s house saying that the “decision to spruce up the house was taken in a transparent manner and in a democratic way” and those who allege malpractice “have vested interests”.

The Bishop also denied the allegations that he was selling off pieces of the church property. “I have not sold any property of the church but some of them are leased out,” he said. “The corporate offices always existed on the premises of the bishop house complex and I have no role to play in it,” he said, adding that since his ascension to the post the balance sheet of the church has improved.