Priest seeking entry to Kothamangalam church shifted to hospital

Kochi: Fr Thomas Paul, a senior priest of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, who had been at the disputed St Thomas Church at Kothamangalam since Thursday, was shifted to a nearby hospital as his health deteriorated. He had arrived at the reputed pilgrim centre armed with a court order to conduct a mass, but was denied entry by Jacobites believers on Thursday. He was taken to the hospital by Friday noon

The High Court had directed that a Munsif court order allowing the Orthodox priest's entry should be enforced with police protection. The court asked why the Orthodox believers should be blocked from entering the church, and ordered action as per the laws of the land.

The Jacobites, however, resisted the priest's entry and asked him to go back. Fr Paul stayed firm and the Jacobites launched a protest in front of the church. Tension has mounted as the protest is continuing.

The Jacobites claimed majority of the devotees living in the parish belong to their faction, while Orthodox Church followers are very few in numbers.

Fr Paul alleged that the protest by Jacobite followers and clergy were in violation of the court order.

HC refused to intervene

The Kerala High Court has refused to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the St Thomas Church at Kothamangalam. The court said that it was for the police to oversee law and order situations. It has also issued notices to central and state governments.

The court made the observations while considering a plea by a senior priest from the Orthodox church, seeking Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security to enter and offer worship at the church.

The Jacobites and the Orthodox are two factions of the Syrian Christians in Kerala.

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