Church keeps coffers open to help cash-strapped faithful

Amid the rush for money in the wake of demonetisation of high denomination currency notes, a Catholic Church in Kerala has opened its coffers for the cash-strapped faithful.
Worshippers at the Syro-Malabar Church at Thevakkal near here were surprised when parish vicar Fr Jimmy Poochakkatt annouced yesterday during the Sunday mass that they can take the money from its coffers to meet their basic needs in the hour of crisis.
"Now the cash boxes are empty. But we are happy that we could extend a minor relief to people at the time of crisis," said Poochakkatt, also spokesperson for the Syro-Malabar Church.

Devotees who thronged the Church built in the name of St Martin de Porres, the patron saint of mixed-race people, were not hesitant to take the money from the cash boxes following the announcement "as they were facing financial difficulties after the demonetisation move," he said.
He, however, said the small parish was not facing any financial problem in meeting its daily expenses as there was some money left in its bank account.
The priest said authorities of many parishes have enquired about response received to the gesture shown by the parish.