Parishioners at the St. Alphonsa Syro Malabar Catholic Church are fighting to keep the crucifix over their altar while their out-of-town bishop wants it replaced with a cross that doesn't bear the image of Christ. But it's not just a theological debate.
The situation deteriorated into an ugly battle, parishioners said, after the Chicago-based bishop, Mar Jacob Angadiath, fired the local priest and then froze church funds.
"I stand for my faith," said Jojo Anthony, a parishioner. "That is the crucifix. I believe in that."
The St. Alphonsa Syro Malabar Catholic Church is part of the Eastern Catholic Church from India - one of two in North Texas.
Parishioners hung the crucifix, the symbol of Christ dying for others salvation, over the altar.
But in a letter to the parish three weeks ago, the bishop reminded his faithful that he originally ordered the parish of almost 250 to instead display the Marthoma cross, without the image of Christ, which signifies the resurrection.
"We don't like the Marthoma cross because it is a creation of man," said Tom Varkey, a parishioner.
The crucifix, they said, is Biblically-based.
And the Marthoma cross, parishioners explained, is most popular in the Indian state of Kerala, where the bishop is from.
The bishop recently removed the priest, Rev. Father Sajy, and then froze the church's funds.
The bishop's letter went on to say that the Coppell parish never got final approval from the diocese in Chicago before remodeling its new facility or to hang the crucifix.
The bishop said he removed the priest, Rev. Father Sajy, because he "demonstrated disobedience" in not hanging the Marthoma cross.
"I am not against the crucifix," the bishop added.
But, when parishioners gave $15,000 to Rev. Father Sajy as a gift without permission of the diocese, the bishop said he decided to freeze bank accounts so "the parish might survive such malicious actions by few members of the church."
Parishioners, now tithing less, said their former priest deserved more than he was making and was invaluable in raising funds for their new parish.
"I think more than 95 percent of the parishioners want the crucifix," said Jacob Thomas, a parishioner.
Parishioners said the cross versus crucifix debate isn't meant to disrespect the bishop, but rather urge him to respect the faith of his local followers.