The Hindu : Kerala / Kottayam News : Orthodox Church flays interference in its affairs

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Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kottayam

Orthodox Church flays interference in its affairs

Staff Reporter

Asks spiritual leaders to desist from such moves

KOTTAYAM: The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has taken serious exception to what it termed the attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the church and said spiritual leaders should desist from such moves.

The statement comes in the wake of the agitation by Catholicos Baselius Thomas I, the Head of the Jacobite Church, on the Thrukkunnathu Seminary controversy.

A statement issued from the office of the Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, said that Bishop Paulose Mar Pakomios had relinquished the charge of Ankamali (West) diocese following the decision of the Holy Synod that those bishops who were in charge of more than one diocese should give up charge of any one of them. However, following the stepping down of Mar Pakomios from the charge of the diocese, Fr. Jacob Mannaraprayil, the manager of Thrukkunnathu Theological Seminary (which comes under the diocese) was found indulging in activities that attracted disciplinary action. It was against this backdrop that the Catholicos removed Fr. Mannaraprayil from the post and appointed Fr. Bobby Varghese in his place, the statement said. "These actions are in no way connected with the Patriarch- faction."

Neither the Catholicos nor members of the Orthodox church have entered any of the churches that remain closed on account of being disputed claims or those which remain under status quo, the statement said and added that "presently we do not intend to do so."

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Orthodox Church flays interference in its affairs