Church stand-off:Malankara faction turns down call for talks

Kottayam: The Kerala governments bid to find a solution to the Jacobite-Malankara stand-off through talks failed with Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Tuesday announcing its difficulties in participating in the conciliatory efforts in the wake of the Supreme Court order.

The Orthodox Church said in a statement the governments conciliatory measures have no legal standing as the top court in its verdict on July 2 has clearly stated the state and all parties shall abide by the 2017 judgment passed by the apex Court giving them control of around 1,100 churches currently under the control of Jacobite Syrian Church.

It also expressed concern over the state governments decision to hold conciliatory efforts.

The Orthodox Church made its stand clear on the issue, a day after the senior metropolitans of the Jacobite Church claimed that the conciliatory meeting convened by the state government was in accordance with the Supreme Court order.

The Jacobite faction had also said the disputes between the two churches could be resolved only through negotiations and mediations.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had told the state assembly last week that they are committed to implementing the apex court order on the dispute between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara church.

The chief minister's statement came after the CPI(M)-led government was slammed by the apex court for not implementing its 2017 order on giving control of 1,100 churches under the Jacobite Church to the Orthodox faction.

Police had to intervene in the dispute several times to ensure law and order situation, the chief minister had told the Assembly, adding the Left government's strong resolve was to ensure that there would not be any hindrance for believers to offer prayers.

Jacobite church followers have been accused of preventing access to the Orthodox faction, despite orders of the High Court and the Supreme Court.