Elizabeth Owens
(ZENIT News / Kochi, 16.08.2023).- The mission of Slovak Archbishop Cyril Vasil, who was appointed Papal Delegate in India to resolve the two-year outstanding dispute, is not succeeding in alleviating the tensions between the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and the rest of the Syro-Malabar Church, in regard to the “unified” mode for the celebration of the Holy Qurbana, the Eucharistic Rite of this ancient Church of Oriental Rite in communion with Rome.
The point of conflict continues being the compromise solution between the different forms previously used, adopted by the Syro-Malabar Synod in 2021, which establishes that the Celebrant must go up to the altar during the central moment of the liturgy. The overwhelming majority of the clergy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which constitutes the largest Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church and embraces close to a tenth of the faithful, reject this solution, given that, after Vatican Council II, they adopted the Rite in which the Celebrant looks towards the assembly. The Syro-Malabar Church, which has strong ties with Rome, has been forced to issue an official statement in response to the protests that have arisen. According to the “Ucanews” Asian Press Service, these protests have been catalogued as unjustified, anti-Christian and seditious. A surprising turn in the situation is that the same people who initially requested the presence of a Papal Envoy, now are blocking his work and protesting against him.
The Ernakulam-Angamaly clergy and groups of faithful are expressing their energetic opposition to Archbishop Vasil, following his arrival a few weeks ago. In a letter to the faithful, the Papal Delegate made it clear that his function is not to reopen the discussion, but to have the chosen solution of the Syro-Malabar Synod accepted. The reaction of the Ernakulam-Angamaly clergy has been forceful: many have refused to read Archbishop Vasil’s message to the faithful and question his mandate openly, accusing him of not having promoted a true dialogue between the two sides. In their protest, accusations also arose over the management of the Syro-Malabar Church by the Major Archbishop, Cardinal George Alencherry, including mentioning the controversial purchase and sale of lands, which sparked controversy in this Church of Oriental Rite.
The complainers are asking Rome for the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese to be separated from the Syro-Malabar Church, if there is no real desire to reopen the discussion on the solution adopted by the Synod. The rejection of the Papal Delegate became more evident on Monday night, when Monsignor Vasil attempted to celebrate a Mass in Saint Mary’s Basilica and groups of priests and faithful impeded him access through the main entrance, even throwing water bottles and eggs at him, according to “Ucanews.” It was only with the intervention of police officers that this resistance was able to be surmounted.
In response to this incident, the Prelate expressed himself during the homily of the celebration of the feast of the Assumption on Saint Thomas’ Mount, the site associated traditionally with the martyrdom of the Apostle, evangelizer of India and main headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church. Addressing the faithful, Monsignor Vasil recalled the Virgin’s “total obedience” to the Will of God, attitude that, according to him, the Syro-Malabar Church “has demonstrated so much in the course of its history.” Moreover, he recalled how Pope Francis has followed closely the question of the “unified liturgy.” “The decision was taken by the Synod, approved by the Holy See and, therefore, is legitimate and cannot be the object of interminable discussions,” he explained. He added that the Pope was personally informed about the objections and considered a request for a special dispensation for a local liturgical variant, but in a letter sent on July 3, 2021 to the whole Syro-Malabar Church, he made it clear that unity must prevail over conflict, encouraging a swift implementation of the unified liturgy.
“This paternal voice of the Holy Father has not been heeded by many priests and, in many cases has even been concealed from the laity,” added Monsignor Vasil. Are they with the Holy Farther, do they want to continue being priests and members of the Catholic Church and of their Syro-Malabar Church or do they prefer to give voice to the instigators that lead them to disobey the Holy Father, the legitimate Pastors of their Syro-Malabar Church and of the Catholic Church?”
“I am certain that many priests and lay people have protested in good faith. Many are adopting this path of pride, believing that they are only exercising their right to dialogue and debate, believing that the insistence will finally bear fruits. But the only fruit will be a great damage to the Church, a great scandal before those that observe us and a spiritual damage resulting from disobedience to the Will of God. Do they really want to be responsible for such a grave sin, for such disobedience?“, he asked.
Half a million Catholics belong to this Archdiocese now in litigation not only with the Major Archbishop but also with the Pope.
With information from AsiaNews and UCANews.
