Kolencherry Church Re-opening Issue: Church
Needs Court Order To Implement
Jose Kurien Puliyeril
IOH News Service
Kolencherry June 16
2005: The Kandanadu Diocesan leadership of Malankara
Orthodox Church informed that implementation of the court order
would be the most feasible way to have regular services in
Kolencherry Church, which is currently locked. So far all court
judgments against the cases of Kolencherry Church were in favor
of Malankara Orthodox Church. In a joint statement issued by Fr.
Abraham Vaalayil, Fr. John Thenumkal, Fr. Kuriakose Chelattu,
who are also the members of Kolencherry Parish explains that the
lack of co operation from the Patriarch faction and
irresponsible approach and opportunism of certain members of our
own faction have delayed the re-opening of the locked Church.
Bishops of the Orthodox Church fasted a day at Kolencherry, with
the demand to get the implementation of the court judgments. The
proposals of the sub committee of the council of ministers for
the settlement of issues were spoiled due to the false approach
of the Patriarch faction. The priests who released the note
explained that few of our lay leaders (of Laity Forum) were
instrumental in joining hands with the Jacobite Church in
undermining the treaty made when the Church administration was
taken back from the Government Receiver as well as the proposals
of the Council of Ministers' sub committee. When Fr. Zachariah
Echikkottil, vicar from the Jacobite faction revolted against
Dr. Mathews Mar Severios, the Diocesan Metropolitan, there
started tensions and it resulted in the closure of the Church.
The statement of the Orthodox Priests, suggest the following:
1) The decisions of the Malankara Association held at Parumala
in 2002, must be implemented in the Parish.
2) There is a case regarding the above topic in the court and it
is heard from reliable sources that the case would be considered
by the Court in the near future.
3) His Holiness the Catholicos, Head of Indian Orthodox Church
has given clear intimation personally to the Diocesan
Metropolitan and the Vicar of the Parish that the issue of the
Parish is to be taken for discussion only after the court
judgment of the abovementioned case.
4) All attempts to settle
the existing problems other than the established means and ways
would reach us in further deep pits. It will create an
atmosphere of riots in Kolencherry.
5) There is no right for the people who accepted a Constitution
of their own in the Kolencherry Church, where the constitution
of 1934 of Malankara Orthodox Church, is in prevalence. If a
right is granted to such, will the policy not applicable to the
ones who embraced Pentecostal Churches or rite (Reeth) factions?
6) The decisions of the Church are liable for all members of the
Church alike. No one, who ignores and work against the
instructions and decisions of the Church and Church Fathers,
whoever it might be, are not entitled to represent the Church or
Parish in any of the Forums.
7) The decisions of the opportunists, other than the Church
Leadership wont be binding to Kolencherry Church. The
Parishioners as a whole are getting ready to resist all such
steps from any side, at any cost They have decided to oppose
such moves with all force.
8) It is doubted that a few members of Orthodox Laity, who are
trying to co-operate with the Patriarch faction, are doing so
with the feeling and fear to summon all records and the wealth
of the Church they enjoy at the moment illegally, back to the
Indian Orthodox Church as and when the court cases are
completely over soon.
There is no doubt for the fact that the Kolencherry Church is to
be governed as a part and parcel of Malankara Orthodox Church
according to the judgment of the Supreme Court of India and in
the guide lines of the Constitution (1934 )of the Church. This
means the Church (Parish) administration must be by a Vicar and
assistant Vicars, and the managing committee elected as per the
1934 Constitution, appointed by the Diocesan Metropolitan, who
is under the Malankara Metropolitan, who is re-confirmed in the
Malankara Association held at Parumala on 20th March 2002. Only
such an arrangement could be enforced in Kolencherry Church. All
other arrangements would be illegal , null and void. That is why
we are not favoring any other substitute arrangement.
