Claims of right over the Bethel Suloko Church (St. Mary’s Church), Perumbavoor, by the rival factions of the Malankara Church spilled out into the street once again on Sunday with the Jacobite and Orthodox groups faceoff that prevented the Orthodox group from celebrating the Sunday Mass at the church. Orthodox Church sources claimed that while its rival faction celebrated Mass Sunday morning, the vicar, Father Eldho Kuriakose of the Orthodox group, was prevented from entering the church. The Minister is learnt to have met members of the Malankara Church Peace Committee members early this month to prepare ground for a future meeting with the Church leaders. Meanwhile, a strong contingent of police personnel have kept vigil as the Jacobite group members have taken up position inside the church and within the church premises while over two hundred Orthodox Church members are camping outside the gates. The trouble began reportedly after a Perumbavoor munsif court issued an injunction allowing the Orthodox group to take charge of the church.

Source: The Hindu February 17, 2019 13:52 UTC