Jacobite church again in the grip of internal strife

Mangalore Today News Network

Kottayam, June 15, 2016: Internal issues in the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church have again surfaced after some gap. The latest issue has been the decision of an emergency Synod of the Church held recently at Puthencruz to take over the administration of the Kottayam diocese from Metropolitan Thomas Mor Themotheos.

The interest showed by Themotheos for conducting the funeral of Priayanaka Chopra’s grandmother had also invited the ire of a section of the church.

The decision taken by the Synod to take over the administration of the Diocese was stayed by the head of the Jacobite Syrian Church, Catholicos Baselios Thomas, as per the Constitution of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. The decision of the Patriarch was based on the petition submitted by Metropolitan Thomas Mor Themotheos.

The Patriarch has also made it clear that a five-member committee will be constituted to probe on the allegations against the Metropolitan.

The Synod had taken the decision based on the complaint filed by some priests against the Metropolitan. The main allegation was that the Metropolitan was holding the properties of the church under a private trust. However, Metropolitan in a press conference said that this complaint given by the clergy committee was withdrawn on January 2. However, they resent the complaint to the Catholicos and the Patriarch, said Themotheos.

According to Themotheos, majority of the Metropolitans were not present for the Synod.  The decision of the Synod was not based on the Assets of the Kottayam Diocese, but instead the difference of opinion between some priests and laity,  said a press note from the Metropolitan’s office.

A meeting of the representatives of the Priests and laity was held at St Joseph’s cathedral  and swore full faith in the decision taken by the patriarch. Priests and faithful from the 43 Churches  attended the meeting.