Piravam Church| File Pic
Thiruvananthapuram: The state government’s efforts to settle the dispute between Orthodox and Jacobite factions over the church row failed again. On Wednesday, the government had summoned both factions for conciliatory talks to restore peace.
Orthodox faction has taken a firm stand declaring that they will cooperate with the talks once the government implements the court order by acquiring the churches for them. The Jacobite faction demanded for a conciliatory meeting under the leadership of coordinators from both factions. The government will not mediate conciliatory talks on the row.
“The Jacobite faction should accept the court order. They are challenging the court by defending the procedures to implement the order. We are not creating any issues which violate peace and order over the church row,” said Orthodox faction representatives.
Meanwhile, both factions reported that they had a friendly discussion.
The Jacobite faction demanded they need clarity in some matters related to the court order and asked for conciliation in these matters during the talks. They also expressed hope that orthodox faction will not provoke them before they reach conciliation.
At the same time, Orthodox faction asserted that they will implement the court order in each parish.
“There is no point in extending conciliatory talks. As per the court order, both churches should be united and the issues must be settled,” demanded Orthodox faction.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had recommended that both churches can hold talks over the issue. Pointing out this, Orthodox faction informed them that they will respond on the matter after holding talks with the church leadership.
Both factions positively reacted to CM’s recommendation on mutual talks to settle the row.
In the initial phase, the CM held talks with each faction separately. In the second phase, a joint sitting of both church factions was summoned.
Chief Secretary Dr Vishwas Mehta, state police chief Loknath Behera and home secretary Sanjay Kaul also attended the meeting.
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