Kochi: At a time when incidents of sexual abuse of women and minors by priests are rocking the Syro-Malabar Church, its recent decision to stick to tradition and include only men in the washing of feet ceremony on Maundy Thursday has raised the hackles of liberals.

The Open Church Movement comprising revisionists of various denominations will organise a parallel ceremony exclusively for women on the same day in protest.

OCM leaders have flayed the Church decision, terming it a step-motherly attitude towards women. “This should also be considered as a human rights issue,”said movement chairman Reji Njellani. “At a time when incidents of sexual abuse involving Catholic priests are being reported from different parts of the state, the Church should have included women in the ceremony highlighting the respect for them. The Church is not ashamed of collecting money in the name of women who are elevated to sainthood.”

Syro-Malabar Church head Cardinal Mar George Alencherry issued a circular the other day explaining its decision with regard to the ceremony.

It said the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the Vatican body overseeing Eastern Catholic churches, had clarified the Pope’s approval was for changes in the Roman Missal (a compendium of prayers, chants and instructions for celebrating mass) and was applicable only to the Latin Church.

He made it clear only men were included in the Maundy Thursday ceremony based on the theological perspective of Eastern churches.

In January last year, Pope Francis had issued a decree revising the rules for the washing of feet ceremony traditionally involving 12 men or boys.

The new rubrics allow priests or bishops to wash the feet of women and girls. Though the three Catholic rites in the state–Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara churches–owe allegiance to the Pope, the reforms were implemented only in the Latin Church while the others stuck to tradition.

Reacting to the OCM agitation plan, Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson Jimmy Poochakattu said the church had clearly explained its stand and reasons in the circular. “The Church does not think further explanation is required in this matter.”

(Indian Express)