The standoff between the Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church continues at Perumbavoor where both the factions have staked their claims to the St. Mary’s Church.
Police sources said on Thursday that there had been no untoward incident even as followers of both the groups refused to cede ground, demanding rights over the church.
Tension at church
The tension began when a group of Jacobite-faction members occupied the church on Wednesday night and refused to quit even for the Holy Mass by the Orthodox faction on Thursday morning.
Following the development, a group of Orthodox Church followers gathered outside the gates of the church, where a strong posse of the police have helped keep peace.
Among the Orthodox faction members outside the St. Mary’s church was Bishop Yuhanan Mar Polycarpus of the Angamaly diocese and a number of priests.
The pressure began to build up after a court injunction on Wednesday banned the Jacobite clergy from offering services at the church.
Court injunction
The injunction was issued on the basis of the Supreme Court verdict on July 3, 2017, banning all parallel services and administration of parishes under the Malankara Church and handing over authority over these churches to the Orthodox faction.
A spokesman for the Orthodox group said that the Jacobite faction had clearly violated the court orders.
Despite complaints, the police refused to act, he said, adding that the Orthodox Church expected the police to allow the group to offer prayers and exercise their right over the church on the basis of the court injunction.