KOCHI: The state government has informed the Kerala High Court that the order to hand over churches to the Orthodox faction of the Malankara Church cannot be implemented due to stiff resistance from the Jacobite faction. Jacobite faction members, including women, children and elderly, have camped in most of the churches, and are agitated and aggressive, the court was told. Despite attempts by the district administration and police to implement the court order, they failed due to strong protests, the HC was informed. The matter needs to be treated cautiously and diligently, and efforts to implement the court order will continue. The affidavits of the state government were in response to a contempt case filed for not implementing the order at St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, Cherukunnam; St Mary’s Orthodox Church (Odakkali Palli), Odakkali; St John’s Besfage Orthodox Church, Pulinthanam, Muvattupuzha; St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Mangalam Dam; St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Erickinchira; and, St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, Mazhuvannoor.

Source: Indian Express June 28, 2024 02:46 UTC