Southern States - Kerala   

Peace continues to elude Malankara Church

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI Dec. 14. The reconciliatory talks initiated by the Government and by the KPCC at different levels are continuing without any concrete results with the Orthodox faction maintaining that the question of calling off the fast by Bishops could be considered only after the Government conceded the three conditions set out by it.

The Patriarch faction, however, maintained that it was willing for "concessions'' only without any change in the principles set out by the Antioch of the East. Late last night, the sub-committee, constituted by the Government comprising the Ministers, K Sankaranarayanan, Babu Divakaran and M.K. Muneer, had held discussions with the representatives of both the factions at which the Orthodox wing had set out three conditions as a first step for patch up.

The committee will meet the representatives again tomorrow evening.

Today at the Aluva Government Guesthouse, the AICC general secretary, Vayalar Ravi, had a round of discussions with the representatives of both the factions. Later talking to the media, Mr. Ravi said that efforts were on to find the most crucial aspects of the conflict among the two factions and to prepare a "blueprint'' and to base further discussions on these aspects.

He said that more were necessary if the differences were to be ironed out.

There are clear areas of differences and also some areas where there are consensus. The mission now was to narrow down the differences and to reach a rapproachment without loss of face to both the factions.

He said that the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, was not involved in these matters and the conciliatory role had been taken up as per the wish of the Chief Minister. At today's talks with Mr. Ravi, the Patriarch faction was represented by Baselious Thomas I while the Orthodox wing was represented by Poulose Mar Pakomios and Yuhanon Mar Melitius. At the discussions, the Catholicose maintained that the question of both the `Sabhas' becoming one can be considered if the Orthodox faction was willing to forego the legal cases and willing to accept the `Christian path'.

The `unauthorised' encroachment on churches and bids to disrupt peace should be given up by the Orthodox wing. The initiative taken up by the Government and the KPCC augured well for the Church, he said. The path of violence should be abjured.

The Orthodox faction, however, said that the fast could be called off only if the administration of 10 churches "encroached upon'' by the rival faction were handed over to it. The court diktat regarding the chief of the Patriarchal faction should be observed in toto and also the restrictions imposed on new four Metropolitans be followed.

The Orthodox faction also said that it had not raised the allegations that the rival faction was behind the recent murder of Varghese at Perumbavur. It was through the media that it had come to be known that some elements of the Patriarchal faction were behind the murder. It wanted the Government to ensure peace for Sunday prayers in the churches. There should be effective machinery to enforce the court orders. It was willing for concessions without `diluting' the Supreme Court verdict.

It also pointed out that diocesan public meetings do not have the right to support any one faction of the Malankara Church. If the decision to move out of the Church can be considered depending on the majority, it should be within the purview of the 1934 constitution of the Church, the Orthodox faction maintained.

Meanwhile, the Cochin chapter of International Christian Leadership, at a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Henry Austin, appealed the warring factions to keep restrain themselves and also to call off the fast so as to help the present efforts to find out a solution.

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