Mokokchung, September 16 (MTNews): An ecumenical group known as the Indian Christian Collective for Justice (ICCJ) has demanded the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and related organizations to remove PC Singh from all leadership positions after the Economic Offences Wing of Madhya Pradesh police raid and the discovery of huge amounts of unaccounted-for cash, foreign currency, and gold in his residence.
PC Singh, till recently, was Bishop of Jabalpur Diocese, Church of North India. The ED raid was followed by his arrest and being taken into custody to be questioned on charges of serious financial misconduct and money laundering, including illegally selling church properties. “His abusive exercise of institutional and ecclesiastical power has always been obvious. ICCJ further says that churches did not act until today, and for this, all the organizations he has been a part of should repent for the silence,” ICCJ said in a press statement.
ICCJ in the press statement further said that it sees these recent developments as warning signs and feels called to take firm action in his case; and commit ourselves to putting an end to all such instances of the abuse of power and deep layers of corruption in the church.
PC Singh, the President of the NCCI, ECLOF India, CISRS, the Bible Society (and a host of other ecumenical organizations – each with a commitment to Christian service and justice) is put into crisis, ICCJ added. “His presence has made all these organizations vulnerable to scrutiny besides risking their credibility. In a time of hawk-like monitoring of minorities, we cannot remain silent and allow this man and others who occupy positions of power to expose all of us to threats and accusations,” the statement further read.
“This is not going to disappear – our institutional life is certainly under threat as all organizations that function under the purview of his leadership face possible investigation. This is the moment for the Churches and all ecumenical institutions to take a bold and firm stand on the side of truth, justice, and integrity,” ICCJ said in the statement.
Saying that ICCJ is delighted that PC Singh has been removed from the Presidentship of NCCI and Bible Society of India on Friday, it further called on all Christian organizations to remove PC Singh from the Presidentship and all decision-making roles. “Besides recovering credibility, the speedy and unequivocal action will also give Christians in this country hope. The church stands for truth and justice, and the Gospel imperative is to root out corruption, abuse of power, and injustice in our church life. Enough is enough,” ICCJ stated.