Recently a dispute emerged between two rival parties over the organization of a meeting at Thoothukudi St. Patrick’s Church, leading to a tumultuous situation. The factions engaged in a heated altercation, exchanging offensive language and hurling insults, and the video of the incident went viral on social media. Police and the revenue department intervened, facilitating negotiations that successfully dispersed the conflicting parties through peace talks. As a resolution, it was decided that no committee meetings would be held at St. Patrick’s Church.
Once again, tensions have erupted between two factions in the Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese during the church prayers at St. Peter’s CSI Church in Sanmugapuram, a clash erupted between two parties, namely DSF and SDK Rajan, creating sensational scenes as they vie for power in the upcoming church elections. The current members, set to expire in the coming months, were allegedly conspiring against potential contenders for the future election.
NewsTamil24x7 reported that during a CSI Caldwell assembly meeting organized by Pastorate Chairman Immanuel Vanstraw, chaos allegedly ensued after Father David Adhisayam of Chidambaram began to speak. Following his speech, Toovipuram Rakshakan blocked his way down from the stage, questioning his right to speak. The situation escalated, leading to a heated argument, and in the midst of the chaos, Vattakovil diocese member Paul Jebarsingh was allegedly questioned for sitting in the front row without being church member. Another argument ensued between SDK Rajan and Giftson parties as they went to have food, eventually resulting in their expulsion by others in the church.
Following their expulsion, DSF party Diwan was said to be transported to the government hospital in an ambulance, claiming he was beaten with a rod. Similarly, SDK party’s Paul Jebasingh was also admitted to the hospital, stating that he had sustained injuries.
Addressing reporters, Lay member Johnson stated, “A total of 32 people have been removed from the church. Due to their removal from the church, there was a problem in Vattakovil, and there was a problem in Patrick’s Church for two days. This kind of problem is going on continuously. If you look the reason, the only answer is that they have been dismissed from the church. They are dismissing us for asking a question.”
“Paul Jebasingh was beaten up by outsiders who were not CC members of the congregation, and they made it look like a caste riot. By bringing in other caste people, they beat this caste people like goons, they have beat them up. Without being a CC member, they have brought and sat in the front row in the church and had done this scandal. Unless priests follow justice and honesty, this diocese will continue to perish, and these kinds of fights will keep coming,” he further said.
தேவ கூடத்திலேயே மோதல்.! பதற்றத்தில் நாசரேத் திருமண்டலம்.! #Thoothukudi #Church #ChurchIssue #Argument #Complaint #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/2X2susaSjj
— News Tamil 24×7 | நியூஸ் தமிழ் 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 21, 2024
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