NEW DELHI: Supreme Court to intervene and hear in detail the Orthodox-Jacobean church dispute. A bench comprising Justices Suryakant and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered that the status quo in the management of the churches should continue till a decision is taken on the matter.

The state government should take a count of believers in both churches and hand it over to the court. There should be an effort on the part of the government to create a consensus. The government can intervene if there is a possibility of conflict. Both churches can submit their parish registers to the court. A detailed hearing will be held on January 29 and 30.

The High Court had directed the respective district collectors to take over the disputed six churches in Ernakulam and Palakkad districts. Contempt of court proceedings was initiated against the officers including the Chief Secretary for not following the order. The Supreme Court was considering the petition filed by the officials against this.

To be handed over by Govt

Gram Panchayat Region wise account of believers of both sects
List of churches where both sects have influence
List of disputed churches
In whose administration are the disputed churches?

Cemetery also under dispute

The Supreme Court had directed the Jacobite sect to hand over the management of six churches in Ernakulam-Palakad districts to the Orthodox sect on December 3. However, the Orthodox sect complained that the Jacobites did not comply with the order. It was also requested that the condition be limited to six churches, but the court did not accept it.

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan, had submitted an affidavit saying that if Jacobite priests were allowed to perform ceremonies in the cemetery, it would lead to conflict. This was pointed out by the Jacobite faction. The Orthodox section took the position that the cemetery can be used for funerals if the ceremonies are held outside. The Supreme Court clarified that it can hear detailed arguments following this.