# Priests clash at Kerala church over ownership, locked by police 2026-08-09T19:44:01+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet 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. The Hindu reports the clash erupted after Orthodox faction members allegedly arrived claiming a favourable court order for the church's ownership, which was under Jacobite control. The Holy Mass was interrupted when the rival faction arrived. Police dispersed both sides and locked the church. The district administration plans talks with both factions on Monday. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: church conflict, court order, Kerala, Malankara Church, religious dispute Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-church-clash-after-orthodox-group-cites-court-order/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-church-clash-after-orthodox-group-cites-court-order/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.