Jacobite, Orthodox factions again clash

Another clash over ownership is reportedly emerging between Jacobite and Orthodox factions in Kerala.

On Tuesday, followers of both the factions clashed on the streets at Mammalassery near Piravom. According to reports, the Muvattupuzha DySP, two ASIs and five policemen were injured in the clash.

Police said both the factions claim ownership over Mar Michael's Church which is currently under the administration of a receiver

The church has separate timings for holy mass for Jacobite and Orthodox believers.

The feud reportedly began after the Orthodox Church trustee Fr Johns Konatt came to offer the mass.

"There is strict instruction that only the priest should offer holy mass in the church, so we protested when the trustee came here. His entry was unauthorized, and his intention was to close down the church," Fr Varghese Kallappara, spokesperson of the Jacobite Church, was quoted by the Times of India, as saying.

According to an earlier agreement, the Orthodox faction has been granted permission to conduct mass once in a month. Also, the permission is for a particular priest only.

As tempers ran high, the police intervened and sealed off the church. Leaders of both factions have now started prayers on the church premises.

Last year, tension erupted in Kolenchery between the Jacobite and Orthodox factions after clash over ownership of St Peters' and St Paul's church.

The issue flared up after the Ernakulam district court in October ruled that the administration of St Peter's and St Paul's Church should go to the Orthodox Church as per the Church constitution passed in 1934.

The Kerala High court appointed Kerala Mediation Committee and the district administration both failed in resolving the dispute through arbitration.