Pune: Some Catholics of a parish in Pune diocese have sought help from the Pope’s ambassador in India and a cardinal who advises the pontiff on Church government to resolve an ongoing Mass controversy.

As many as 400 Catholics from Pimpri-Chinchwad alleged that they were forced to go to higher authorities in the Church as the Bishop of Poona (old name of Pune) had failed to “act decisively” in the matter.

Pimpri-Chinchwad is a city area in the Pune Metropolitan Region in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. It is considered the “twin city” of Pune.

In a letter sent to Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and one of the eight Pope’s advisers, a section of parishioners of St Francis Xavier’s Church in Chinchwad alleged that they have been facing problems because of the abrupt stoppage of Mass and Sunday catechism school at a Mass center since May.

The parishioners residing in localities such as Nigdi, Akurdi, Pradhikaran, Dattawadi, Vithalwadi, Appu Ghar and Ravet claimed they have been attending church services at St Ursula’s Mass Centre, Akurdi, for the past five decades.

The letter said that Mass center, which is around 7 km northwest of Chinchwad, has served the spiritual needs of at least 200 plus Catholic families residing in these areas.

The controversy began in May this year, when Chinchwad pastor Fr S A Louis decided to conduct Sunday Mass only at the parish church and not at St Ursula’s School.

Some 170 families have signed the letter sent to the apostolic nuncio in New Delhi, on August 31.The letter claimed it has the support of more than 1,000 parishioners.

It noted that more than 400 Catholics attend Mass at the center on Sundays and at least 600 on feast days. Sunday Catechism is also held there for some 100 students.

“Elderly faithful are unable to attend the Mass due to the distance and heavy traffic on the busy Pune-Mumbai road. Financially marginalized families are unable to attend Mass due to costs incurred. Autorickshaws in Pimpri-Chinchwad do not ply by meter. Catechism children who used to attend mass and Sunday school on their own now have to be escorted by their parents,” the letter explained.

Earlier, in July, Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona had told The Indian Express that since the protesters had approach the higher authorities, he would wait for their decision before announcing his own. He had also urged the community members that the “new church was built by them and they should attend it without protests.” The Chinchwad priest had also denied all the allegations and urged the protesters to attend the mass at Chinchwad church.

William Naidu, who is leading the agitation, told Mumbai Mirror that the local Church authorities “disappointed us, so we approached the Pope’s ambassador.” Residents are also claiming that the priest should have considered the convenience of the people rather than sticking to his own stand.

“There is a worldwide practice where priests go out to the community to lead them in prayer. There have been instances where Sunday Mass has been held in malls. Yet, in this case, the priest wants thousands of people to come to the church rather than him having to go to different places,” Naidu added.

Victor Singarayan, a core committee member, told Mirror, “The issue could have been solved in a couple of weeks. However, as the authorities have been sitting on it for nearly four months and not making any decision, we had no option but to approach higher authorities in Delhi. We are hoping for a positive response.”

Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre has come out in support of Fr Louis. He said, “It is an administrative decision taken after long consultation. When the decision to expand the church premises was taken, nobody opposed it, but now people have problems.”

“We cannot put up churches everywhere. Some people travel for five to six km to come to church. Ours is a very small community — there are not even 60,000 of us in Pune. We want to promote unity,” he told Mumbai Mirror.

The Mumbai-based newspaper said Father Louis was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.