A Jacobite family in Kerala in Kochi handed over the mortal remains of 86-year-old Sara Varkey, a member of St John’s Church, to Ayurveda medical college after the Jacobite and Orthodox factions in the Malankara Church kept fighting over the burial ritual. As per reports, the family took the decision after the Orthodox faction refused to allow the Jacobite priest from conducting the funeral prayers as per the family wishes.
The Orthodox faction controls the Church and when the family was conducting the last rites, some members of the Orthodox faction began arguing with the family. As per a High Court order, the members of Jacobite and Orthodox factions have equal rights to attend the Church and bury family members in the cemeteries. However, only the clergy appointed as per the 1934 Constitution can conduct the burial.
The Orthodox faction spokesperson said that they were not against the burial of the deceased but they could not let Jacobite priest to conduct the services. The family, which didn’t want to part of the fight decided to donate the body to Ayurveda medical college instead.
