Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has urged the State government to desist from any attempt to resolve the Malankara Church dispute through legislation.
Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, the metropolitan said the Kerala society was concerned about the legislation move, which sought to bypass the Supreme Court verdict. “To seek public opinion on a verdict by the apex court is unheard of. This a deplorable move and the Church will explore all options, including legal means, to counter this move,” he said.
The Orthodox Church, according to him, was always ready to approve the Patriarch faction if it accepted the 1934 constitution and the various Supreme Court orders on the Church dispute, he added.
On SilverLine
To a query on the raging protests over the SilverLine project, the Catholicos replied that the Church was never against any development project. The government, at the same time, was duty bound to protect the life and assets of its subjects.
Earlier on the day, a meeting of the Church managing committee adopted a resolution against the State government's decision to seek public opinion on a draft legislation Bill to resolve the Church dispute. The meeting also passed the annual Budget of the Church worth ₹916 crore, which included various welfare projects, including assistance to students who had returned from Ukraine.
Ordination
The meeting also decided to conduct the ordination ceremony of seven metropolitan designates at the Pazhanji St. Mary's Cathedral on July 28. Prior to this, they will be awarded the title of Ramban at a function to be held at Parumala on June 2.
The first meeting of the newly constituted managing association will be held at the Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram on August 4. The clerical trustee, laity trustee and members of the church managing committee will be elected on the occasion.
