The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has appealed for a dialogue‑based resolution with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, rejecting prolonged court battles. Metropolitan‑designate Mor Theophilose will be installed as the first Metropolitan of the newly formed Thiruvananthapuram region on July 15.
Key Takeaways (मुख्य बिंदु)
- Jacobite Church seeks dialogue to settle decades‑long dispute.
- Metropolitan‑designate Mor Theophilose to be installed in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Church urges recognition of both bodies as separate sister denominations.
Speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Mor Theophilose, chairperson of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church’s media cell and metropolitan‑designate of the newly created Thiruvananthapuram region, warned that failing to resolve the long‑standing conflict with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church would be an injustice to future generations. He emphasized that matters of faith must be settled through dialogue and consensus, not through endless litigation.
Historical Context
The schism between the Jacobite and Malankara Orthodox churches dates back to the 1912 episcopal succession controversy, which spawned over a century of legal battles over property, jurisdiction, and ecclesiastical authority. Landmark judgments from the Kerala High Court in the 1990s clarified certain rights but left the core theological rift untouched, perpetuating a climate of mistrust among the faithful.
From Courts to Conversation
Mor Theophilose highlighted that the Jacobite Church has consistently offered the state’s mediation mechanisms, yet the Orthodox side’s rigid stance has stalled progress. “There is still an opportunity to resolve the issue,” he said, adding that the Jacobite Church is prepared to engage in any talks initiated by the Kerala government, as it has done in the past.
Installation Ceremony Details
The installation of Mor Theophilose as the first Metropolitan of the Thiruvananthapuram region will take place at the St. Peter’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Simhasana Cathedral on July 15, 2026. Catholicos Mor Baselios Joseph I will preside, with other metropolitans serving as co‑celebrants. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, senior ministers, the Speaker, elected representatives, heads of various Christian denominations, and notable public figures are expected to attend.
Implications for Kerala’s Communal Landscape
Experts argue that a dialogue‑centric settlement could transform a protracted legal saga into a model of religious coexistence. Recognising both churches as separate sister denominations would allow each to pursue its spiritual mission without encroaching on the other’s assets, thereby reducing communal tension and fostering a more harmonious societal fabric in Kerala.