Priests and members of the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church clashed at St. John’s Bethlehem Church in Piramadom, near Muvattupuzha, on Sunday (August 9).
The clash erupted after members and priests of the Orthodox faction allegedly arrived at the church, claiming to have obtained a favourable court order regarding its ownership. The church was under the control of the Jacobite faction, the police said.
The Holy Mass led by a Jacobite priest was reportedly under way when members of the rival faction arrived with the court order. The police dispersed members of both factions to de-escalate the situation and temporarily locked the church as a preventive measure. Visuals showing priests from both factions pushing and shoving each other near the altar, while members of the factions intervened, were widely shared on social media.
Meanwhile, the district administration is expected to hold discussions with representatives of both factions on Monday (August 10).
Published – August 10, 2026 12:06 am IST
