The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has warned of legal action against district revenue officials for permitting the entry of a priest from a rebel faction to St. Mary’s Church at Kattachira, near Kayamkulam, to conduct the funeral of a 94-year-old in violation of a Supreme Court order.
The funeral of Varghese Mathew Pallikkalethu had been delayed for 10 days following a stand-off between the Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church.
In an official statement here on Tuesday, Fr. Johns Abraham Konat, official spokesperson of the Church, said the Orthodox Church was ready to conduct the funeral as the Alappuzha Collector and the District Police Chief had agreed to stand by the apex court’s order.
“Assurance violated”
They, however, violated the assurance and, in turn, gave protection to the rebel faction while preventing Fr. Johns Eapen, the current vicar of the church, from entering the church premises. The act amounted to contempt of court and hence the Orthodox Church has decided to initiate court proceedings against the offenders, the statement said.
“It is quite unfortunate that the government, which time and again has reiterated its commitment towards implementing orders from courts, has offered support to a group of miscreants in violating an order of the Supreme Court. Their action amounts to violation of the oath of office,” read the statement.
