By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, Aug 24, 2023: Jesuit Archbishop Cyril Vasil, pontifical delegate for Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, has met Pope Francis on his return to the Vatican after his 18-day stay in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
A press statement from the Media Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church says the Jesuit archbishop informed the Pope on August 23 about his visit to Kochi in Kerala and apprised him about the current situation in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
The August 24 press statement issued by commission secretary Vincentian Father Antony Vadakkekara says the delegate told the Pope that he had held discussions with the various groups in the archdiocese and provided necessary guidelines.
The Pope asked him to remain firm to implement the decisions taken by the Syro-Malabar Synod and approved by the pontiff, the statement adds.
Archbishop Vasil has also given a detailed report on the crises in the archdiocese to Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Oriental Congregation.
The delegate said that he would continue his efforts to implement in the archdiocese the synod mode of celebrating Mass where the priest faces the altar during the main part.
Archbishop Vasil came to Kochi in Kerala, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church, on August 4 and stayed there until August 22.
On his arrival, he announced that the Pope had sent him to make sure that the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese adopt the uniform mode, decided by the Syro-Malabar Synod.
Most Catholics and priests in the archdiocese – the largest in the Oriental Catholic Rite – oppose the synod Mass and insist on celebrating Eucharist where the priest faces the congregation.
The archdiocese has celebrated Mass in this way for more than 50 years, following the teachings of the Vatican II.
During his stay in Kerala, Archbishop Vasil said those opposing the synod decision are a minority with vested interests.
However, six of 328 parishes in the archdiocese defied the delegate’s order to celebrate Mass in the synod way on August 20. He had also threatened to excommunicate priests who defied the August 17 order.
Our Pope is no less than a seasoned politician. So it’s no wonder that he too sacrifices the principles and the spirit of Vatican-II on the altar of the convenience of the powerful Syro-Malabar Hierarchy (so-called Synod which shows little Catholic spirit).
In Tamil there is a saying, “Oorukuthaan Ubadesam” (the preaching is only for others). The Pope and everyone in the Vatican, including Archbishop Cyril, celebrate Mass facing the people. But… they want the priests of Syro-Malabar church in Kerala to celebrate Mass facing the altar. What an irony!!
Does it mean that what was decided in the second Vatican Council on liturgy is not valid for the Syro-Malabar church that followed the Vatican-II for 50 long years?
What will the Pope and his delegate achieve by putting pressure on a group of priests and laity and by threatening them?
I pray, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”