Kolenchery church dispute: No solution in sight

Kochi, Saturday, September 17, 2011: A solution to resolve the ownership dispute of St Paul​’s and St Peter​’s church at nearby Kolenchery continued to remain elusive on Friday as the Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Marthoma church reamined firm on their respective grounds.

Orthodox church sources said they would intensify their agitation. ‘We do not want any more talks. We want implementation of the court order’, church sources said. The suggestions put forth by the orthodox faction and two-member Kerala Mediation committee appointed by the Kerala High Court were not accepted by the Jacobite faction, the sources said.

While the Orthodox faction is demanding implementation of a recent district court order directing the administration of the two disputed churches to Orthodox faction, Jacobites want the statusquo to continue. Since Sunday last, tense situation is prevailing in Kolencherry as the heads of the two factions are participating in fast and prayers.

The Orthodox faction will take out a march today to the office of Revenue minister, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at Kottayam demanding implementation of the court order. On Sunday, after the Holy mass all parishes of the church would observe protest and conduct rallies, the sources said. Thampu George Thukkan, secretary Jacobite church told PTI that the spiritual needs of the 6000 odd followers of the church should be met.

Now it was being obstructed by the minority section, which cannot be accepted, he said.
‘We are not taking any adamant stand. We want the spiritual needs of the faithful to be protected’, he said adding the statusquo in the spiritual matters should be continued.

Kerala High court appointed Kerala Mediation Committee and district administration have engaged in several rounds of discussions with leaders of the two factions, but to no avail. Prohibitory orders under sect 144 Crpc has been declared since Sunday after the two factions almost clashed after holding prayers at the church.