Cardinal Poola establishes legal aid forum for Hyderabad Catholics

SECUNDERABAD, Telangana (Indian Catholic News) — Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad has formally established the Hyderabad Archdiocese Catholic Advocates Association (HACAA) to provide professional legal assistance, guidance, and awareness for the Catholic community.

The new initiative was announced through an archdiocesan circular dated Sept. 21 and addressed to all parish priests, religious superiors, heads of archdiocesan institutions, associations, and the faithful. It was published in the October issue of the Hyderabad Archdiocese’s newsletter.

According to the circular, the archdiocese “has always been committed to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of its clergy, religious, institutions and faithful, while promoting justice, reconciliation and responsible Christian citizenship”.

A professional forum for legal support

In view of the “increasing need for proper legal awareness, guidance and professional assistance,” a group of committed Catholic advocates took the initiative to form HACAA. This collective comprises priests, religious, and lay faithful who are professionally qualified and enrolled with the Bar Council.

The association is “conceived as a professional forum to provide appropriate legal guidance, assistance and support to the Catholic faithful and to the institutions, parishes and organisations of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad”.

The principal objectives of HACAA span a broad range of community needs, including:

• “To promote legal awareness among the Catholic faithful and the wider Catholic community”.
• “To disseminate knowledge concerning legal procedures and the rights and protections guaranteed under the Constitution of India and applicable laws”.
• “To assist individuals and families in understanding and appropriately addressing legal issues and challenges”.
• “To provide legal guidance and assistance to parishes, educational institutions, charitable organisations, associations and other institutions of the Archdiocese”.
• “To assist in matters concerning the legitimate rights and interests of the Catholic community and its institutions, including matters relating to property, documentation, contracts, statutory compliance, employment, taxation, succession and litigation”.
• “To encourage lawful, just and peaceful resolution of disputes, wherever possible, in the spirit of Christian reconciliation”.

Guidance and directives for institutions

Cardinal Poola requested that all parish priests, religious superiors, and heads of institutions “make appropriate use of the services and professional expertise available through HACAA whenever legal advice or assistance is required”.

Parishes are particularly encouraged to seek timely advice before entering into agreements or transactions “so that avoidable legal difficulties may be prevented”.

The association operates under its approved constitution and bye-laws, with Father Raju Alex serving as the priest in charge. Its proposed registered office is located at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gunfoundry, Hyderabad. The initial team of registered advocates features 12 members handling civil, criminal, high court, Supreme Court, and family matters.

HACAA functions in a manner consistent with the pastoral and administrative interests of the archdiocese and remains fully accountable, including the submission of an annual activity report.

Concluding the circular, Cardinal Poola expressed his appreciation, stating, “I express my appreciation to all the Catholic advocates who have generously offered their professional knowledge and expertise for the service of the Church and the community. May this initiative become an effective instrument in promoting justice, legal awareness, reconciliation and the protection of legitimate rights among our people”.

Read the circular.