Kerala church ownership dispute leads to clash between Orthodox and Jacobite priests

Priests from the Malankara Orthodox and Jacobite Syrian Church factions clashed at St. John's Bethlehem Church in Piramadom, near Muvattupuzha, on Sunday. The confrontation arose from a long-standing dispute over the ownership and administration of the church premises.

According to police, the Orthodox faction attempted to take control of the church, citing a favorable ownership verdict from the Muvattupuzha Sub Court. The Jacobite faction, which currently manages the church, resisted their entry, claiming a Munsiff Court had previously ruled in their favor. The verbal dispute escalated into physical pushing and shoving between clergy members from both sides.

Police intervened to restore order and subsequently locked the church premises to prevent further conflict. The district administration has summoned representatives from both denominations for official discussions scheduled for Monday evening. While both factions reported injuries during the melee, law enforcement stated that formal cases will be registered once written complaints are submitted.