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Journalism of Courage
The long drawn-out and bitter battle between the Orthodox and Jacobite churches over the ownership of a centuries-old church in Kerala has spilled over to the streets now.
The laity and clergy belonging to both the Churches staged protest marches,blocked road traffic,and attacked vehicles in many parts of south and central Kerala. Hundreds of Orthodox Church followers laid a siege to the house of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at Kottayam on Sunday,in protest against the governments reported reluctance to implement a recent court order,which said the ownership of St Peters and St Pauls Church at Kolenchery in Ernakulam district should go to the Orthodox Church. Chandy is a member of the Orthodox Church.
Chandy held discussions with Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and K V Thomas on Sunday to find a solution. Chandy played down the protest,and said: The government would not join any side in this controversy. He indicated that the government would intervene to end the deadlock.
The Malankara Christian Church had the first split in 1912 into Jacobite and Orthodox groups. Both Churches were reunified in 1958,but the bonhomie lasted only until 1975. Since then,these segments have been engaged in fights on streets and court corridors over ownership of 200-odd churches and their wealth. As of now,19 Kerala churches remain closed due to the dispute.
The latest episode of trouble erupted with Ernakulam district courts verdict last month that the administration of St Peters and St Pauls Church should go to the Orthodox Church as per the Church constitution passed in 1934. Execution of the order would deny the Jacobite members the right to conduct worship at the church,which has a history dating back to the 7th century. The church,which remained closed for several years,was opened in 2010 following the court intervention. Both factions had enjoyed the right to offer Mass at the Church until last months court order. Of the 2000-odd families,Jacobite Church claims to have 1,600-odd loyalists.
Last Saturday,the Jacobites,led by Church head Baselios Thomas I Catholicos,began an indefinite protest prayer at Kolenchery,demanding that status quo should be maintained. Tension mounted at the church premises when the rival church head Baseliose Mar Thomas Paulose II joined the agitation with an indefinite fast demanding execution of the court order.
