The Hindu : `Orthodox faction torpedoing peace initiative'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 12, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`Orthodox faction torpedoing peace initiative'

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI, FEB. 11 . The Jacobite faction of the Malankara Syrian Church said that the Orthodox faction had ``torpedoed'' the Government-brokered peace deal by unilaterally pulling out of the deal.

The Catholicos of the Jacobite faction, Baselios Thomas I, told a news conference here today that the rival faction had for decades, torpedoed all efforts at conciliation and peace and that its pullout from the peace treaty on Tuesday was true to its character. Its claim that it was pulling out because of the occupation of the Mepral church by the Jacobites was false.

The Catholicos claimed that his faction had not forcibly taken the bishop's office at St. John's Church at Mepral near Thiruvalla. The office building belonged to the faction. The building had been used by the late Metropolitan, Kuriakose Mar Coorilose, until his death in 1997 and had since then been used as the office of the Jacobite faction.

He said the three Orthodox metropolitans of Kandanad, Thrissur and American dioceses, the three had crossed over to the Orthodox faction from the Jacobite faction, were still occupying the offices and residences belonging to the Jacobites.

``They live and sleep in the buildings we raised," the Catholicos said. For instance, the property titles of the official residence of the Orthodox metropolitan of Thrissur, Yuhanon Mar Milithios, were still in the name of the Jacobite Catholicos.

The Catholicos wanted the Government to open the closed churches for prayer service by both the factions until the litigation ended and the courts took a decision on the issue of possession. He warned the Government that the Orthodox faction would whip up troubles in view of the Lok Sabha elections and the fasting season of Lent.

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