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A high-level delegation from the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in regards to the “gross denial of justice and trampling of democratic rights” of their members.
“Parishioners belonging to the Jacobite faction are being alienated from their own churches by members of the rival Orthodox faction,” mentioned Kuriakose Mor Theophilos Metropolitan, spokesman of the Jacobite Church, who was a part of the delegation.
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“Mr Modi gave a patient hearing to us and we gave a representation explaining our grievances. He assured us that he would go through it and would come back to us. We explained to him the gravity of the situation and how we are even unable to bury bodies of our dear ones in cemeteries of churches that we built, all under the garb of a court order. These churches were built over centuries by our forefathers, using hard-earned money. The delegation further requested a piece of legislation, something like Worship Act, to regain the right to worship in churches that we built. This is because those who own churches are being forced to vacate them,” the spokesman mentioned.
The delegates, who included Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese Joseph Mor Gregorios and Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese Thomas Mor Themotheos additional apprised the Prime Minister of the denial of non secular freedom, freedom of worship and justice to members of the church, for the reason that ‘dissident group which separated from the church is creating points by misusing the courtroom verdict of 2017’.
The devoted of the Jacobite Church are being evicted from their church buildings and even denied burial rights of their cemeteries. The subject of burial of the useless should be addressed comprehensively, they mentioned.
Disputes, particularly religion associated, can’t be resolved by way of infinite litigation. There must be different technique of resolving them. The Prime Minister’s involvement is efficacious, the delegates mentioned.
The delegates appealed to Mr Modi to intervene to guard the Constitutional and elementary rights of their historical church. He assured that he’ll do his greatest for an amicable answer, the delegates added.
“’The biggest duty of humans is to care for their fellow beings. Brotherhood is integral to our culture and hatred should be avoided,” opined the Prime Minister.
“We feel today’s meeting was a step in the right direction. The attempts to hand over churches which do not have even five per cent members from the Orthodox group, is a shame on the democratic country,” says a press launch issued by the church.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan and Mizoram Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai too had been current on the assembly with Mr Modi. Mr. Pillai additionally hosted a lunch for members of the rival factions.
Mr. Modi had held discussions with representatives of the Orthodox Syrian Christian Church on Monday, in an try to mediate between the 2 warring factions of the Malankara Church.
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