Archbishop Peter Machado A group of Catholics in southern India has accused Bangalore Archdiocese of being party to a multi-million dollar financial scam linked to overseas donations.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore denied the allegations and said he was ready to face any probe.
All Karnataka Catholic Christian Association (AKCCA) accused the archdiocese-owned Asha Charitable Trust of misappropriating some three billion Indian rupees (€34.6 million). It called for a federal probe into its dealings.
“I am open to any probe as I have nothing to hide,” Archbishop Machado told UCA News on September 2.
He was reacting to the demand for an investigation to be conducted by the Enforcement Directorate, a specialised federal agency that investigates financial scams, particularly involving foreign exchange.
AKCCA leader Raphael Raj told media that the archdiocese collected money from foreign donations and did not spend it on what it was meant for. “It is a scam worth three billion, and it needs investigation,” he said.
The annual audit revealed irregularities but the archdiocese “continued to remain in denial and did not initiate any action against those guilty,” Mr Raj said.
Archbishop Machado said those making such allegations are trying “to make a mountain out of a molehill”.