Ban on Jacobite metropolitan entering Malankara churches: Court dismisses appeal

Kottayam: District court dismissed the appeal by Thomas Mar Timotheos, metropolitan of Kottayam diocese of Jacobite Church, pleading to remove the ban on his entering churches of Malankara Sabha, said a press note from the Orthodox Church on Friday.

Earlier, the munsiff court had banned the metropolitan's entry to Malankara churches, including Manarcad church, bypassing the Supreme Court verdict. The district court upheld the munsiff court verdict.

Thomas Varghese Amayil, priest trustee of Malankara Orthodox Church, said that the court verdict was a warning to those who bypass the law of the land with the silent permission of authorities. He said as per the court order, Timotheos metropolitan couldn't enter and establish a parallel rule in 122 churches of Malankara Sabha in Kottayam diocese, including Manarcad church. "Malankara churches should be governed as per the 1934 constitution. The apex court passed a final verdict in 2017 disallowing parallel rule. Attempts to overturn these judgments were thwarted by upholding the ban," he said.

"Obeying law is part of civic duty. Violating the law is a crime and against Christian values," said Amayil. He urged Jacobite Church leaders to take the essence of the verdict and turn to the path of justice. One should realise that the major factor for peace is the law of the country, he added.