Kochi: The Synod of Syro-Malabar Church, scheduled in August, would decide on the date for implementing a uniform mode of celebrating Mass, says Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry.
The cardinal issued letter July 7 soon after Pope Francis wrote to bishops, clergy, religious and laity of the Syro-Malabar Church on the controversial issue of liturgy.
The cardinal’s letter thanked the Pope for recognizing the new ‘Raza Qurbana Taksa,’ a uniform mode of celebrating the Mass. “I am forwarding herewith the letter, Holy Father Pope Francis has written…urging us to promptly implement the uniform mode of celebration of the Holy Qurbana as decided by the Synod held in November 1999,” the cardinal wrote.
A singular mode of celebrating Mass has long been a bone of contention within the Syro-Malabar Church as various dioceses follow two different modes of celebrating the Mass, an obvious difference being the priest facing the churchgoers during the ceremony in certain dioceses and facing the altar in certain other dioceses.
The uniform mode would have the priest facing the faithful as well as the altar during the ceremony and the duration of the Mass would also be reduced.
Pope Francis’s letter dated July 3 was made public July 6.
“I willingly take the occasion of the recognition of the new Raza Qurbana Taksa to exhort all the clergy, religious and lay faithful to proceed to a prompt implementation of the uniform mode of celebrating the Holy Qurbana, for the greater good and unity of your Church. May the Holy Spirit foster harmony, fraternity and unity among all members of your Church as you work to implement the Synodal decision,” the letter said.
The letter said that Vatican regards this an important step towards increasing stability and ecclesial communion in the Syro-Malabar Church.
Source: The Times of India