By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, May 18, 2023: A Syro-Malabar priest has quit active parish ministry disgusted with what he says is the decay in his Oriental Catholic Church.
“I have declined to accept any parish ministry and will continue to live the values of a Catholic priesthood,” Father (Thomas) Ajimon Puthiyaparambil told Matters India on May 16.
The 46-year-old priest announced his decision to quit through a letter on May 13 addressed to his parishioners in Mukkom and Nooranthodu parishes, and “the brothers and sisters in the Kerala Church.”
“I do not know where I will go or how I will live, but I believe I have a prophetic call to follow the teachings of Christ in its real sense,” asserts the priest, who until now served as the pastor of Mukkom parish of Thamarassery diocese in Kerala where the Oriental Catholic Church is based.
Father Puthiyapramabil, who has served several parishes after his ordination on December 30, 2002, was upset with some recent scandals related to Syro-Malabar Church leaders, including Cardinal George Alencherry, its head.
“We are going away from Jesus. There is no unity as we fight with each other. The Church suffers from moral turpitude and lack of financial transparency. There are court cases against bishops and many of them openly indulge in political alliance,” he explained.
The cardinal is embroiled in court cases after he was accused of selling Church land for much cheaper than the market rates, incurring a loss of 10 million rupees for the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
The Thamarassery priest was also scandalized by the ongoing liturgy dispute in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese and allegations of corruption and sexual abuse cases against bishops and priests.
“When something is wrong, it should be told,” he said and regretted that bishops and priests “do not lead a humble life as shown by Christ, but follow a very luxurious lifestyle away from Christ’s core values and teachings.”
The liturgy dispute has led to the closure of the Ernakulam-Angamaly’s cathedral church on the eve of 2022 Christmas.
Father Puthiyaparambil’s letter says he has served the Thamarassery diocese with full dedication, commitment and loyalty for the past 20 years. “However, I am entering a prophetic mission from today,” he said and added that the inspiration has come from Christ who had called him to the priesthood.
However, some social media channels reported that Father Puthiyaparambil plans to leave the Catholic Church to join the Orthodox Church where priests are allowed to marry.
The priest denied the allegation through another clarification note where he asserts that his decision was not sudden but the outcome of nearly two years of discernment “after observing the moral and ethical degradation of the Syro-Malabar Church leadership.”
He said a parish priest has limitation to speak up when those in authority go against Christ’s teachings. “I am bound to bring in consensus among the parishioners. Therefore, I decided to give up the parish ministry,” he added.
He reiterated that he would not quit the Catholic priesthood but follow Jesus more closely without the protection and comfort of the priesthood.
The priest also wants more representation of the Catholic religious in the Church’s decision-making bodies. “Currently, the representation of the religious, especially nuns, is not part of the key bodies empowered to decide for the people of God,” he explained.
He has also served as the director of Alpha Maria Academy, a civil service coaching center managed by the diocese. He had also served as the pastor of two parishes in Mumbai.
He currently lives with his priest friend in Angamaly in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly but plans to move on soon.
“I will continue to pray and offer Mass. I want to be active,” he added.
When contacted a diocesan official expressed surprise over Father Puthiyaparambil’s move and said he would discuss the matters with him to decide the future course of action.