Bhopal archbishop, officials granted bail

February 22, 2013 - Three Indian Church officials including Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, accused of attempting to poison a fellow priest, were granted anticipatory bail on Thursday. Additional District and Sessions Judge Sriram Sharma granted bail to Archbishop Cornelio, his vicar general Father Mathew VC and diocesan spokesperson Father Jonhy PJ. The court case was first registered on Feb. 7 on behalf of Father Anand Muttungal, former archdiocesan spokesperson, who alleged that the three men had conspired to use unnecessary medicines to make him think that he was mentally unbalanced. Fr Muttungal has claimed that the conspiracy was in response to previous allegations of financial mismanagement that he had brought against the archbishop and others in the archdiocese. Archbishop Cornelio and his co-defendants have all denied any wrongdoing. The court is set to hear the case on March 1. Meanwhile, the Catholic Association of Bhopal has planned a candlelight procession on the grounds of the Bhopal parish church to show solidarity with the accused archbishop and his colleagues. “The issue should have been settled within the Church and should never have gone to civil court,” said Daniel John, president of the association. “As head and father of the local Church, it is impossible that the archbishop indulged in any such alleged activities.” He added that local parishioners hope the case will ultimately be withdrawn and settled amicably out of court.