19-September-2006
dt.19th September 2006
Jacobites for interim steps to open churches
Staff Reporter, The Hindu
|
Say mass should be conducted in all of them |
KOCHI: The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has demanded that the State Government take steps to reopen disputed churches and cemeteries.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Bishop Joseph Mor Gregorius said believers from the Jacobite and Orthodox factions were now unable to attend mass in 15 churches.
"The Government and its agencies must formulate interim measures to allow people to attend mass, till the courts give their final say on the disputes. We are willing to hold talks with the Government on the issue. As of now, priests from the two factions are unable to enter disputed cemeteries to conduct last rites of people."
He said the Jacobite church had documents proving their ownership of most of the disputed churches, since a majority of the members were from the faction. As many as 280 of the 300 families under the Thrikunnath St. Mary's Church were Jacobites. All church members, including 20 families from the Orthodox faction, were willing to open the church for mass.
He said the Jacobites had reached an agreement with the previous United Democratic Front Government on opening churches. But they got a raw deal, with the police resorting to lathi-charge to disperse them and misbehaving with them in the police camp.
He said a meeting of priests and representatives of the Jacobite church would be held in Aluva on September 30, to chalk out measures to protect the Thrikunnath Seminary and its assets. Over 2,000 church representatives and 230 members of the clergy would participate.
Mathrubhumi
dt.19th September 2006
News dt. 7-Sep-06: Angamali diocesan meet at Aluva on 30th September