A commotion and minor skirmish erupted between two groups—one led by the church priest and the other comprising church members—when the priest’s group attempted to demolish the old shrine in front of the church to expand the St. Michael the Archangel shrine in Mela Asaripallam, Kanyakumari district. The members opposed the demolition and attacked those involved in the expansion efforts. This unrest led to police being deployed to manage the agitated crowd.

The St. Michael the Archangel Church, located near Nagercoil, supports over a hundred families devoted to this historic site. For several years, the church priest has been accused of attempting to demolish an old shrine across the road from the church to build a new one within the church grounds.

This plan faced strong opposition from some church members, who have called for the priest’s transfer, alleging that he fosters division among congregants and engages in money laundering activities. Recently, the church administration, led by the priest, tried to remove the old shrine and held a puja there to pave the way for a new structure. However, the opposing group intervened, leading to heated exchanges between the two factions.

Police, led by Nagercoil ASP Lalith Kumar, were deployed to manage the escalating tensions. One group condemned the priest’s actions and protested outside the church, while the priest’s supporters organized their own demonstrations in response.

குருசடியை இடிக்க வந்ததால் பரபரப்பு.. பங்குத்தந்தைக்கு எதிராக போராட்டம்!#Kanniyakumari #Church #Attack #Protest #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/GyVV1e2A0D

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 11, 2025

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The post Clash Erupts At St. Michael The Archangel Church In Kanyakumari Over Shrine Demolition Plans appeared first on The Commune.

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 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 21, 2024

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The post Padres Clash At Thoothukudi Church As Factions Vie For Power In Upcoming Church Elections appeared first on The Commune.

A conflict ensued regarding the organization of a meeting at the Thoothukudi CSI Church. Resulting in a tumultuous situation, two factions engaged in a heated altercation, exchanging offensive language and hurling insults at each other. The incident was recorded on camera, and the viral video has sent shockwaves throughout the CSI church community.

Tension arose at St. Patrick’s Church, associated with the Thoothukudi – Nazareth Diocese near the 1st Railway Gate in Thoothukudi. The conflict unfolded following the establishment of a new Committee (Sekara Kootam) led by Pastorate Chairman Selwyn Durai and Lay Secretary Giftson. Committee members Koilpichai, Devarajan, STK Rajan, and Ruban were subsequently removed from the committee, intensifying the discord with Pastorate Chairman Selvin Durai and rival factions.

NewsTamil24x7 has allegedly reported that this incident is a conspiracy orchestrated by Pastorate Chairman Selwyn Durai and Lay Secretary Giftson, aimed at influencing the upcoming elections in the Nazareth Diocese. This alleged plot is particularly centered around Giftson’s imminent expiration of lay secretary posting within two months, with another member, STK Rajan, planning to contest for the position. As part of a broader scheme to secure election as the Bishop of the church, Selwyn Durai supposedly desires to have his candidate within for support during the elections. Allegedly, they conspired with their supporters, coordinating through WhatsApp, and conducted a secret meeting in the church. Upon learning of this information, the opposing faction engaged in a confrontation, involving verbal insults and a physical altercation. This led to a protest, asserting a breach of rules, with the Tehsildar having previously issued an order prohibiting the formation of a committee.

On the flip side, the Pastorate Chairman, Selwyn Durai was questioned by the reporter and he alleged rampant corruption within the church, highlighting numerous instances of misappropriation. Specifically, he points out that accounts amounting to ₹27 lakhs were earmarked for the construction of a new church, but no progress has been made. Additionally, over the past 40 years, administration has been exclusively led by a single faction.

A heated argument ensued between the two factions, leading both sides to file complaints against each other. Intervention by the police and revenue department facilitated negotiations, successfully dispersing the conflicting parties. Subsequently, peace talks were initiated, and a decision was made that no committee meetings would be held at St. Patrick’s Church.

வேதம் சொல்லும் வாயால் ஆபாச வார்த்தை! தேவாலயத்தில் அங்கியோடு மத போதகர் சண்டை; காற்றில் பறந்த புனிதம்#Thoothukudi #Chruch #Fight #Complaint #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/Lh5sFChLPS

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 17, 2024

In the preceding month of January 2024, Dinamalar covered an altercation between two factions purportedly involved in overseeing the management of the Diocese. Mohan, an administrative employee, was terminated from his position. Subsequently, he arrived at the Diocese office claiming to have received a court order instructing him to resume work. David Rajan had recently taken over Mohan’s role. This led to a confrontation and physical altercation between the two groups within the office premises. The Tuticorin North Police swiftly intervened, defusing the tension.

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The post Padres Clash At Thoothukudi Church appeared first on The Commune.