Syro-Malabar Church reaches agreement: new, less rigid rules for 'rebel' diocese kick in on 3 July
Major Archbishop Thattil and Vicar Pamplany have decided that, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, it will be sufficient to celebrate at least one Sunday Eucharistic liturgy according to the unified rite decided by the Synod, thus leaving the possibility that other celebrations can be conducted following the older rite. The community had been split for years over the issue, with frequent protests. New priests will no longer be required to celebrate only with the new rite.
Kochi (AsiaNews) – The long-standing controversy over how to celebrate the Eucharistic liturgy in the Indian Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly is moving towards a solution; for years, the issue had shaken the Syro-Malabar community.
This ancient Eastern Rite Church has undertaken some new steps to address the issue, which are to come into force on 3 July, feast day of Saint Thomas, the Apostle of India.
An agreement was reached during a meeting between the Major Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Archdiocese Mar Raphael Thattil and the Metropolitan Vicar Mar Joseph Pamplany. This will allow churches to celebrate Mass on Sundays and feast days in line with the directives of the Syro-Malabar Synod.
This Mass in the unified rite can be celebrated at any time between 5:30 and 10 am or between 3:30 and 6 pm on Sundays. In the first part of the Mass, the priest will be able to face the congregation while for the Eucharistic prayer he will face the altar.
This practice will be extended to the seven parishes that already conduct the Mass in accordance with Synod directives.
At the meeting, it was also decided to grant the 24 newly appointed priests in the archdiocese equal rights to those of the existing clergy.
Previously, priests were ordained only after they submitted a written commitment not to celebrate Mass according to the rite that was adopted in the Archdiocese after Vatican II, whereby priests face the congregation during the entire celebration. Now they will be able to continue to do so.
As part of the resolution, the existing curia in the archdiocese will be withdrawn and all disciplinary proceedings against dissenting priests will be revoked. The administrators of the four deaneries appointed by Bishop Bosco Puthur will be replaced.
The clergymen present at the meeting stressed that in parishes where litigation is still pending, Synod-directed Masses will be introduced only after legal matters are settled.
An official circular will be released later detailing the terms and conditions of the agreement.
"This is a positive step towards peace in the Church. We hope and pray that the authorities do not withdraw from the agreement,” said Father Joyce Kaithakottil, of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, speaking to AsiaNews.
“In the first phase, it may not be 100 per cent in its execution. The spirit is reconciliation. We do not want to end forever the very good legacy of the Mass facing the people,” he added.
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