Kochi: A temporary halt to the dispute between Jacobite and Orthodox factions over worship at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church Kolenchery. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed and police superintendent to facilitate worship by both factions in shifts. Justice Ranjan Gogoi has asked the officials to hold discussions with higher authorities of both the churches to decide on shifts for worship. The Court passed the order on a petition filed by the Jacobite faction challenging an order of the Kerala High Court permitting the Orthodox faction alone to cinduct worship at the church. The present arrangement for worship in separate shift will continue till then.
“Though the Kerala HC order was in favour of the Orthodox faction we could not the take over the Jacobite filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. Following this, the Orthodox faction approached the HC seeking police protection to enter the church and conduct worship. This was prevented by the Jacobite faction and led to a clash and they moved SC again seeking permission for worship,” said Fr Johns Abraham Konat, priest trustee of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
