A day after Ernakulam District Collector S Suhas temporarily took control of the St. Mary’s Church in Piravom, following escalating tensions between Orthodox and Jacobite factions, the Kerala High Court on Friday stated that clergy of Orthodox faction can conduct religious services in the church on Sunday.
Those parishioners who accept the 1934 constitution of Malankara church and those who wish to be part of the religious services will only be allowed to attend church on next Sunday, reports Malayala Manorama.
A tussle had been brewing between both the factions over the church since 2017, when the Supreme Court in an order gave control of 1100 Malankara churches to the Orthodox faction. Jacobite faction which had been in control of the St Mary’s church before the Supreme Court order, has not yet allowed the rival faction to take control.
The Collector had on Friday submitted a report to court that he took temporary control of the church. After seeing the report, the HC also directed to arrest those who create law and order issues on Sunday. It has also been directed to keep such persons in civil prison.
“If it is required, deploy police force in the area on Sunday. Do not create any trouble if the parishioners need any services related to funeral of persons. Collector and police should ensure that no untoward incidents happen during funeral rites,” the court stated.
The court has also directed that the timing of the Sunday service and funeral rites, if any, should be informed to District Collector and police beforehand.
High Court will hold next hearing in the case on October 1.
Tensions at the St. Mary’s Church escalated last Thursday while the police was on a deadline to implement the SC order. With people supporting both factions coming out in protest at the Church, the police had to arrest the protestors and the Ernakulam District Collector took temporary control of the church.
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