Jacobite Church all set to hold election

The Jacobite Syrian Christian church is all set to conduct the election to its managing committee and working committees.

The election to the administrative committees is scheduled to be held on August 30.

However, there is a possibility of judicial intervention with a former member of the managing committee approaching Kottayam and Kattappana Sub-courts and Perumbavoor Munsif Court asking the courts to oversee the election procedure.

The petition was filed by Manoj Kokkad. Jacobite Church spokesperson Fr Varghese Kallappara said that the election is being conducted as per the bylaw of the church approved in 2002.

According to sources, there is a demand within the Church itself to replace the existing secretary and laity trustee, following the allegation by Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Clemis against the higher-ups of the church.

However, the Church secretary and the laity secretary will have to keep off the election as they have completed permissible tenures in their offices. As per the bylaw, a person can become secretary or trustee only twice,” Fr Kallappara said.

Manoj Kokkad, who was a member of the managing committee, was ousted from the committee after he came out supporting ousted Metroplitan Kuriakose Mar Clemis. “Manoj was removed from the managing committee for making public statements against the Church authorities” Fr Kallappara said.

Kuriakose Mar Clemis, former head of the Idukki diocese of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, faced disciplinary action after he raised allegation that he had paid the church authorities `3 crore for being elevated as bishop. Mar Clemis even alleged that the church leadership attempted to kill him.

Fr Kallappara also ruled out the possibilities of tension during election. “There is no chance for any tension as the Church is ready to follow the directions of the court,” he added.