The recent series of events pertaining to the Kerala government gaining control over the Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district, Kerala has brought this issue under scrutiny. The church has been the center of an ongoing dispute between two factions of the Malankara Church.
Background on Malankara Church
Distinguished as a major non-Catholic Christian community, the Malankara Church witnessed an internal split in 1912 leading to the formation of the Jacobite and Orthodox groups. They managed to re-establish unity in 1959, unfortunately for only a short period, as they broke apart again in 1972-73. This division triggered undying conflicts over the ownership of churches and their wealth.
Shift in Church Management
The Jacobite faction had been managing the Church at Mulanthuruthy for a long time. However, a verdict from the Supreme Court (SC) in 2017 shifted the ownership to the Orthodox faction. This verdict upheld the authenticity of the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church granting them power over the parishes’ administration. Despite this ruling, access to the Church continued to be denied to the Orthodox faction, which led to an appeal in the Kerala High Court. As per its directive, the Kerala government took over the Church and handed it to the Orthodox faction.
Kerala’s Diverse Church Groups
The Christian landscape in Kerala is diverse, encompassing Catholic, Jacobite Syrian, Orthodox Syrian, Mar Thoma, Church of South India, Dalit Christians, and Pentecostal Churches. Among these, the Catholics take up a whopping 61% of Kerala’s Christian population while the Malankara Church makes up 15.9%.
About Mulanthuruthy Church
Established in 1200 AD, the Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church at Mulanthuruthy is recognized for its beautiful blend of Indian, West-Asian, and European architectural styles. Carvings, sculptures, symbolic icons, and wall paintings adorn the church which stands as a fine example of Gothic architecture.
Gothic Architecture: Origins and Features
Gothic architecture, renowned in Europe between the 12th-16th century, traces back to France and England. This style is identified by features such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. As the British adopted elements from Indian architecture into the Gothic style, they gave birth to the Indo-Gothic style of architecture.
Examples of Indo-Gothic Architecture
Famous structures reflecting the Indo-Gothic style of architecture include the Madras High Court, Victoria Memorial, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus).
The recent happenings around the Mulanthuruthy church have been a trigger for revisiting the conflict-laden history and architectural grandeur associated with it. They also shed light on the diverse Christian groups coexisting within Kerala.