By Mary Mitzy
Earlier this year, a Munsiff Court of Erattupetta, Kerala, slapped a fine on the East Kerala Diocese Bishop, KG Daniel, and Vicar of St. Mathyas Church, Ellumpuram, for refusing the burial of a professor at his family grave in the church cemetery. The family had to later bury the body of the professor in the residential premises.
The reason for refusal was a book “Baptism—a study” written by the professor that allegedly hurt the interests of the church. The church had even ostracized him for the book.
Professor Jacob had later challenged the decision in the court. The court held that the decision to excommunicate him was illegal. But the court’s decision had no effect on the church and it stood by its decision.
The Erattupetta Munsiff Court Judge Hareesh G in his judgment directed the “defendants” to pay a sum of Rs 9.95 lakh as compensation for tarnishing the reputation and goodwill of Professor Jacob and his family and the cost of litigation.
The judgment also said that the refusal of the church to provide a burial space for Professor Jacob in his family grave, along with rites, rituals and offerings available to an ordinary member of the diocese, was wrong. It observed that the decision was an infringement of the rights and privileges of Jacob and his family.