SHILLONG, June 26: The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday deferred the hearing on the dispute involving the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church after efforts to arrive at an interim arrangement for the conduct of the Holy Sacrament of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper scheduled for June 28 failed to yield a consensus.
Hearing the writ petition filed by Mawkhar Presbyterian Church and another, Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew observed that while the dispute primarily concerns the internal management and administration of the church — an area in which the court is generally reluctant to interfere — it had attempted to facilitate a solution in view of the interests of the congregation awaiting the sacramental services.
During the proceedings, the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) was impleaded as a respondent after the petitioners sought its intervention to permit the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Mihngi to administer the sacraments at the church. The petitioners also sought suspension of the Deputy Commissioner’s order dated June 19 that restrained the Synod Mihngi from administering sacraments and pastoral services.
Senior counsel K. Paul, appearing for respondents, informed the court that the Sub-Pastoral Committee had resolved that the June 28 sacrament service would be conducted by Rev. E.B. Iawim of Golflink Presbyterian Church, describing him as a neutral pastor.
However, counsel Philemon Nongbri, appearing for other petitioners, opposed the proposal, arguing that the committee belonged to the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi, from which the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church has dissociated itself. The petitioners maintained that they would accept a pastor nominated either by another Synod or preferably by the PCI.
Counsel Lurshaphrang Shongwan, appearing for the PCI, informed the court that it was unable to intervene directly. He stated that the PCI’s constitution prescribes a hierarchical mechanism for resolving disputes and that bypassing the established process would set an unhealthy precedent affecting the administration of Presbyterian churches across the country. He also suggested that the sacrament service could be rescheduled until the dispute is resolved.
Observing that no acceptable middle ground could be reached despite its efforts, the court said the matter could not be resolved at this stage.
The case has been listed for further hearing on July 15, while respondents have been directed to file their affidavits in the meantime.
