St. Stephen’s Redevelopment Controversy: Mumbai Church Faces Backlash.

Mumbai Church Property Deal: Archdiocese Faces Backlash Over St. Stephen’s Redevelopment

• Inside the 235 Sq. Meter Plot in Costly Cumballa Hill

• 100 Cr Mumbai Church Land Scandal Exposed

• Father Nigel Barrett’s Explanation Intensifies Doubts Among Faithful

A major controversy has erupted within Mumbai’s Catholic community over the proposed redevelopment of St. Stephen’s Church property in Cumballa Hill. The 235 sq. metre plot—worth over ₹100 crore—is at the centre of allegations of opaque negotiations and commercial redevelopment disguised as tenant “settlement.” While the Archdiocese denies plans to sell the church, Father Nigel Barrett’s explanation has heightened suspicion among parishioners. A Sprouts News SIT investigation reveals deep concerns about transparency, donor intent, and the protection of sacred community assets.

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Mumbai Church Property Controversy: Faithful Demand Transparency as Leaders Defend Redevelopment Plan

Outrage erupts among Mumbai’s Catholic community as leadership faces allegations of opaque property dealings. The St. Stephen’s Church property in upscale Cumballa Hill stands at the centre of a growing confrontation.

The Archdiocese of Bombay insists there are “no plans to sell St. Stephen’s Church.” Officials describe the controversial notice as merely concerning a residential property redevelopment. Father Nigel Barrett’s explanation has nonetheless intensified suspicion among parishioners.

Barrett clarifies that the church trust, as landlord, will benefit from having a developer “settle” tenants. Critics see this as a commercial sale disguised as redevelopment. The 235.41 sq. meter plot with a three-story structure represents prime South Mumbai real estate.

Broader Pattern of Property Controversies Emerges

This dispute is not isolated. A nearly identical scenario unfolded recently in Agripada. A Methodist Church property valued at approximately ₹150 crore was allegedly slated for sale at just ₹25 crore.

Thane, Queen Victoria Donated ,5 Acres. of Our Lady of Mercy Church land was sold for Peanuts (20 crs)to Hiranandani Properties Pvt Ltd in the year 2007 which was still in litigation stage at High Court of Bombay.

In the year 2015 Catholic Lady Donated 600 Crores bungalow ,Marina Manor to Archdiocese of Bombay at Bandstand Bandra still in litigation in various Courts.

Another conflict involves actor Suniel Shetty and a Khar housing society. The St Vincent De Paul Society alleges Shetty sought construction approval without church consent. The society claims the actor is not a legitimate member of their organization.

Legal Battles and Institutional Response Intensify

The judiciary is taking a firm stance on religious property matters. The Bombay High Court issued a significant ruling on June 19, 2025.

Justices M.S. Sonak and Jitendra Jain set a six-month deadline for the Charity Commissioner. They ruled church properties cannot be treated as mere commercial assets.

Disposal is permitted only out of “absolute necessity” under strict scrutiny. This reinforces property’s intended religious and educational purposes.

The Supreme Court of India delivered another landmark ruling on August 22, 2025. It quashed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s acquisition of Bandra Church land.

The court strongly reaffirmed landowners’ preferential redevelopment rights. This protected the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount from being sidelined.
But Is church merciful with catholic tanants when redevelop the Concern Plot?

Also Read: ISKCON Navi Mumbai to Distribute 7 Lakh Bhagavad Gitas.

Community Mobilization and Historical Context

Grassroots movements are gaining momentum. The Association of Concerned Christians (AOCC) is actively challenging church property deals.

AOCC’s Melwyn Fernandes is a prominent voice in these disputes. He argues church leadership acts as caretaker, not owner, of community assets.

The Christian Reform United People Association (CRUPA) also campaigns vigorously. They organized a July 2025 protest at Azad Maidan drawing over 10,000 people.

Calls for a comprehensive Church Property Law are growing. A Madurai bench noted the legal vacuum facing Christian properties compared to other religions.

This tension between clergy and laity is not new. Similar disputes over priestly authority on parish property date back to at least 1973 in the Bombay Archdiocese.

Laypeople have historically contested clergy’s “sole trusteeship” of valuable assets. The core issues of transparency and accountability remain unresolved for decades.

National and International Perspectives

Beyond Mumbai, heritage preservation battles continue. Catholics in Maharashtra are campaigning to protect the 16th-century Our Lady of Mercy Church in Thane.

The church was mysteriously omitted from the city’s revised development plan. Activist Melwyn Fernandes highlighted this concerning omission from official records.

The Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology had previously recognized the site. They called it “an excellent specimen of Indo-Portuguese Cultural Heritage” worth preserving.

Globally, churches face similar property challenges with different approaches. In Seattle, Washington, the Catholic Church confronts a real estate reckoning.

Declining congregations and aging infrastructure create financial pressures. Dioceses are finding creative, mission-aligned approaches to repurpose properties.

One Austin, Texas parish entered a 99-year ground lease for redevelopment. This funded new facilities while retaining long-term land ownership for the church.

Investigation and Accountability Demanded

The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team finds a clear pattern emerging from these cases. Property transactions frequently lack transparent bidding and proper valuation.

Legal loopholes enable the treatment of donated community assets as disposable. Generations of faithful donated properties for specific religious purposes.

The fundamental question remains whether current leadership honors this intent. Mumbai’s Christian community now demands answers and accountability from its leaders.

As Senior Advocate Sunita Stephen Banis noted, without change, the community risks losing its institutional presence. The ongoing legal battles will determine the future of these cherished community assets.