Kochi, Mar 25 (PTI) Baselios Joseph, the current Catholicos of India of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, on Wednesday called for an end to the over a century old feud with the Orthodox faction, saying “it was time to end all this” and hoped for conditions in favour of it.
Joseph also held that the dispute between the two factions should be resolved through discussion, rather than continuing to spend huge amounts of money on litigation, which could benefit the church and the laity, as no side would achieve a 100 per cent victory through court verdicts.
His remarks came a day after the division bench of Kerala High Court set aside its single judge order of 2024 directing the district collectors of Ernakulam and Palakkad to take over three churches each, which were involved in the Orthodox-Jacobite feud.
This factionalism in Kerala has its roots in the early 20th century, stemming from disagreements over ecclesiastical authority and church governance.
The dispute between the two factions has been ongoing, with numerous court battles over church ownership and authority, and the Supreme Court intervening and ruling in favour of the Orthodox faction in several cases.
Joseph said that while his faction respects the court decisions till now, the church has its own systems and beliefs and “we cannot do anything which disrupts that”.
“A solution can be achieved only through discussions. For that many people have intervened, but were never successful,” he told reporters here.
He claimed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had spoken to both sides, but it did not yield the desired result.
“More recently, the Prime Minister spoke to us. He said he would be speaking to them (orthodox faction) also.
“We are ready for a face-to-face discussion. Though they have not come forward for a one-to-one discussion, I am not saying that it is not possible in the future,” he said.
“That is why we are saying — let’s take the path of consensus,” he added.
Joseph said that both factions can work together wherever possible while keeping their respective existences intact.
“I say this with utmost seriousness that it is time to end all this (feud). Let us hope the circumstances for it arise. I am praying for it, trying for it and ready for it,” he said.
On Tuesday, the High Court said that in a dispute related to the religious affairs of a church, which is a Parish Church governed by the 1934 constitution, “the High Court cannot direct the civil administration to take over possession of the church”.
The 1934 constitution was adopted by the Orthodox faction of the church, while the Jacobite group is opposed to it.
The Supreme Court has confirmed the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Church. PTI HMP ADB
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