KOCHI: Amidst the controversy surrounding the ancient twin churches at Ramapuram in Pala and the ongoing legal fight in the apex court, the church authorities have begun the preliminary work for the construction of a new church on the premises of the twin churches.
It is pointed out that the construction of a new church on the premises of the ancient churches would weaken the centuryold structures. The New Indian Express had been campaigning against the demolition of the ancient churches.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will consider the case in this regard on Monday. George Njarakkunnel, vicar of St Augustine's Forane Church, moved the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court's order that upheld the decision to preserve the churches as protected monuments. The Supreme Court, which considered the petition on March 26, directed to maintain status quo until further orders, and posted it for hearing on July 5.
The State Archaeological Department had taken steps to protect the ancient churches as protected monuments, which was upheld by the High Court.
The Secretary, State Department of Cultural Affairs, had issued a notification with an intention to declare the 16thcentury St Augustine's Church, the 19thcentury St Mary's Church and a twostoreyed building in which the legendary Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar lived, as protected monuments under the provisions of the Kerala Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1969.
The church authorities had been trying to oppose the attempts by the government to protect the twin churches. At this juncture, the authorities of St Augustine's Forane Church took the decision to construct a new church.
Sources said that as a part of collecting funds for the construction of the church, the authorities have approached the parishioners to make donations for the construction which is estimated at Rs 12 crore.
"This is not difficult for the Ramapuram Forane Church, which has 1,800 families associated with it. The work is expected to be completed in four years," a notice issued by the church vicar to all families said.
It has been pointed out that the construction of the new church building on the premises of the ancient twin churches can be harmful to the monuments.