Kochi: The Jacobite faction of the Malankara Church said it was cutting off all relations with the Orthodox group. The move comes in view of the takeover of the churches belonging to the Jacobite group following the Supreme Court verdict.

However, the Jacobite faction said that they are ready for discussions, if Orthodox group ends the procedures to takeover the churches.

Joseph Mar Gregorios, the Metropolitan Trustee and senior bishop of the Jacobite church, said that it was not the SC order being implemented here. He also raised suspicions over Kerala High Court verdicts.

“All sacramental and spiritual relationship with Ordothox faction is being cut off as they display no humanity or justice in forcefully seizing churches with the help of law,” he said.

The Supreme Court in July 2017, upon a petition filed by Orthodox faction, had granted possession of over 1,100 churches to them which were under Jacobites till then. 

Recently, as per the Kerala High Court order, the district Collector had taken over the church to be handed over to Orthodox faction.

During the process of seizing the church many devotees and priests were injured, alleged Jacobites demanding action against police and Fort Kochi RDO.

They also demanded the state government to bring in an ordinance to end Jacobite faction members being removed from churches in the backdrop of SC verdict. They also demanded to frame a law in this regard.

As an initial step, the senior members of the faction will visit Chief Minister to apprise him on the situation, Joseph Mar Gregorios said.