Funeral row: Church hurt by Metropolitan’s remarks

Kottayam: The managing committee of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Kumarakom near here said they were hurt over the remarks of Metropolitan Thomas Mor Thimotheos regarding denial of burial of actor Priyanka Chopra's grandmother.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, the members of the committee, along with vicar Fr Simon Manuel, said that the Metropolitan neither contacted them nor issued an order permitting to conduct the funeral at the church.
"While making such decisions, fame or wealth of individuals are not considered. The deceased is not a member of the parish. A man or woman who gets married without the knowledge of the church loses his or her membership," said the vicar, adding that the decision was in line with the church's policy of delivering equal justice to all.
Also, the relatives of the deceased had discussed about the funeral with the Metropolitan first.
The Metropolitan could have informed the church or issued an order, said the vicar. The members also pointed out that the committee also included Chopra's relatives.
The Metropolitan on Friday had condemned the act of the church saying that it was denial of justice, inhuman and against Christian values.
The incident snowballed into a controversy after Chopra slammed the church for denying burial to her grandmother Mary John Akhouri. The funeral was held at another church, 45km away from Kumarakom.
The vicar said that there was a provision in the church constitution to renew membership, which Mary's kin could have done.
Meanwhile, Jacobite Almaya Forum demanded the state human rights commission to take action against the church authorities for showing disrespect to the deceased.