KOCHI: The hunger strike staged against Cardinal Mar George Alancherry by a section of priests in Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese has been called off. The strike ended following talks with the permanent synod. The priests said the strike was a success. They said they are ending the hunger strike and prayers in the wake of the assurance obtained to solve the demands proposed before the synod.

Fr Kuriakose Mundan told reporters that the permanent synod had intervened to solve the issue the day the strike began.

Priests of permanent synod and representatives of Mount Saint Thomas and nine priests of the archdiocese took part in the meeting yesterday. The meet lasted for five and a half hours. All the things were convinced to the synod.

Assurance was obtained from the synod on four out of the five demands raised by the priests. Their demands include reinstating the suspended auxiliary bishops, divesting the cardinal of administrative powers and appointment of an administrative archbishop.