Modi steps in to mediate Jacobite-Orthodox dispute

The warring factions of Kerala-based Syrian church groups met Prime Ministere Narendra Modi, who has initiated discussions to end their bitter battle for possession of over 1000 churches and their properties.

New Delhi: Representatives of the warring factions of Kerala-based Syrian church groups met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has initiated discussions to end their bitter battle for possession of over 1000 churches and their properties.

Mizoram Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, who has held several discussions with top priests of both Orthodox and Jacobite factions on the matter, arranged their separate meetings with the prime minister, they said.

After three Bishops of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church met Modi in New Delhi on Monday, a church spokesperson said they have informed the prime minister about the 2017 Supreme Court order, granting them possession of over 1000 churches and the properties attached to them.

"During the meeting, our representatives informed the prime minister that the Supreme Court order has to be implemented. There is no doubt about it.

The prime minister was very cordial and sympathetic (towards our cause). We have got a very positive feeling (during the meeting with the prime minister)," Fr Johns Abraham Konat, spokesperson of the Orthodox church, told PTI.

He said church leaders informed Modi that the supreme court gave its verdict granting the Orthodox faction the possession of churches in a case filed by the Jacobite faction and in its order, the apex court has clearly stated that the matter shall be settled only by implementing its order.

"They (Jacobite faction) should accept the court order first. If they are ready for that, we can think about other matters," Fr Konat said.

Representatives of the Jacobite faction met the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"(We) are happy to the Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to us. (He) assured us that he would definitely go through (grievances) and would come back to us," said a press statement issued by the Jacobite faction.

"Delegates brought to the kind attention of the Prime Minister the denial of religious freedom, freedom of worship and that the justice that the Jacobite Syrian church is undergoing," it added.

"Prime Minister carefully listened and assured that will do his best for an amicable solution," the church said in the press release.

Earlier, Kerala's ruling CPI(M)-led LDF government had made an attempt to mediate between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions to end their feud over the administration of 1,000- odd parishes.

The effort by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to cobble together a peace formula acceptable to both sides did not yield the result due to the raging feud between two factions.

While the Orthodox faction stuck to their demand that the 2017 Supreme Court order should be implemented, the Jacobite faction alleged the Orthodox faction was "misinterpreting" the order and "taking over" their churches unethically.

The protests by both groups have often resulted in law order issues in several parishes in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)