Kochi, March 25 Baselios Joseph, the current Catholicos of India of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, called for an end to the long-standing feud with the Orthodox faction on Wednesday, saying "it was time to end all this" and expressed hope for conditions that would facilitate a resolution.
Joseph also maintained that the dispute between the two factions should be resolved through discussion, rather than continuing to spend large sums of money on litigation, which would benefit both the church and the laity, as no side would achieve a 100 per cent victory through court verdicts.
His remarks came a day after the division bench of the Kerala High Court overturned the single judge's order of 2024, directing the district collectors of Ernakulam and Palakkad to take control of the three churches involved in the Orthodox-Jacobite feud.
This factionalism in Kerala dates back to the early 20th century, stemming from disagreements over ecclesiastical authority and church governance.
The dispute between the two factions has been ongoing, with numerous court battles over church ownership and authority, and the Supreme Court intervening and ruling in favour of the Orthodox faction in several cases.
Joseph said that while his faction respects the court decisions so far, the church has its own systems and beliefs and "we cannot do anything that disrupts that".
"A solution can only be achieved through discussion. Many people have intervened, but they have never been successful," he told reporters here.
He claimed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had spoken to both sides, but this did not yield the desired result.
"More recently, the Prime Minister spoke to us. He said he would also speak to them (the Orthodox faction)."
"We are ready for a face-to-face discussion. Although they have not yet agreed to a one-on-one discussion, I am not saying that it is not possible in the future," he said.
"That is why we are saying – let us take the path of consensus," he added.
Joseph said that both factions can work together wherever possible, while maintaining their respective identities.
"I say this with utmost seriousness that it is time to end all this (feud). Let us hope that the circumstances arise. I am praying for it, working towards it, and I am ready for it," he said.
On Tuesday, the High Court said that in a dispute related to the religious affairs of a church, which is a Parish Church governed by the 1934 constitution, "the High Court cannot direct the civil administration to take over possession of the church".
The 1934 constitution was adopted by the Orthodox faction of the church, while the Jacobite group is opposed to it.
The Supreme Court has confirmed the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Church.