Protests against papal delegate “deeply” saddening: Cardinal Alencherry

By Matters India Reporter

Kochi, Aug 21, 2023: Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry says the recent protests against Pontifical Delegate Jesuit Archbishop Cyril Vasil have deeply saddened the Church.

“The strength of the Church is unity,” asserted the cardinal on August 21, speaking after the opening of the third session of 31st Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas, the Oriental rite’s headquarters in Kakkanad, a suburb of Kochi, Kerala.

Archbishop Vasil, who addressed the synod, said the indiscipline shown by the dissidents is dangerous for the Church.

The pontifical delegate came to Kerala on August 4 to resolve the decades-old dispute over the mode of celebrating Mass in the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

However, he announced soon after his arrival that he had come to enforce the mode approved by the Syro-Malabar Synod, enraging most priests and Catholics in the archdiocese who have demanded the traditional way of celebrating Mass where the priest faces the congregation. In the synod-approved Mass, the celebrant faces the altar during the Eucharistic prayer.

The dissidents on August 14 tried to prevent the delegate from entering the archdiocese’s main church, St Mary’s Basilica Cathedral. Archbishop Vasil entered the church with the help of a large number of police.

The dissidents were further upset when the delegate on April 17 ordered all parishes in the archdiocese to celebrate the Sunday Mass in the synod method and threatened to excommunicate priests who defy him.

The dissidents burned copies of the delegate’s order the same evening. Only six of the 328 parishes celebrated Sunday Masses in the synod mode on August 20.

The cardinal termed as unjustifiable and un-Christian the dissidents raising inflammatory slogans against the delegate and creating a tense situation at the cathedral.

The synod began with meditation led by Bishop George Madathikandathil of Kothamangalam, followed by Mass led by Cardinal Alencherry. The cardinal recalled the services of Bishop Emeritus Joseph Pallikaparampil of Palai who is celebrating the golden jubilee as a bishop.

The synod congratulated Bishops Sebastian Vadakkel of Ujjain, Thomas Thuruthimattam of Gorakhpur and John Nellikunnel of Idukki, who are celebrating their jubilees this year.

The Synod bishops will meet with the rectors of the major seminaries and major superiors of the religious congregations in the archdiocese. The synod is expected to address various issues affecting the church and society. It will end by 6 pm on August 26, says a press statement issued by Vincentian Father Antony Vadakkekara, public relations officer of the Syro-Malabar Church.