(ZENIT News / Kochi, 06.04.2024).- The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholics, Raphael Thattil, has convened an extraordinary synod to address the liturgical controversy that has shaken the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The bishops were informed on June 3 about the meeting, scheduled for June 14, according to the Syro-Malabar Church.
The synod will focus exclusively on «issues related to the implementation of the Unified Holy Mass in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.» For years, this archdiocese has been the scene of intense protests, some of them violent, against the form of liturgy decided by the synod. The Eastern Catholic Church did not provide further details about the planned consultations.
Recently, Archbishop Thattil expressed his confidence that the liturgical dispute could be resolved through friendly dialogues and a conciliatory approach. In an interview two weeks ago, he mentioned that the controversy has been exaggerated, especially by the media.
«We have 35 dioceses, and 34 of them have followed the decision without any issues. The difficulties are concentrated in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam, the largest and most important in the Kerala region,» he said.
The synod, as the highest decision-making body of the Syro-Malabar Church, includes the bishops of all its dioceses. Unlike the Western Church, where leadership mainly rests with the supreme bishop, the Eastern Catholic Churches are led by synods, whose decisions are binding.
The liturgical controversy has divided the Syro-Malabar Church for decades and has intensified since the synod decided in 2021 to introduce a uniform liturgy for the Mass in the Syro-Malabar rite. Opponents of this liturgical reform prefer a continuous celebration «versus populum» (facing the people). The uniform form stipulates that the Liturgy of the Word be celebrated facing the people and the Eucharistic Service be conducted facing the altar.
Protesting priests argue that their communities would not accept a change in the liturgy established over the past 50 years. They have recently proposed the separation of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly from the rest of the Syro-Malabar Church, suggesting its constitution as a new church of its own right, linked to Rome.
Pope Francis has repeatedly urged the protesting believers to yield and show obedience and communion with the Church. His most recent call was in mid-May during the visit of a Syro-Malabar delegation led by the Major Archbishop to the Vatican.
The Syro-Malabar Church, located in southwest India, is the largest among the Christian communities tracing their origin to the Apostle St. Thomas in the 1st century. With influences from the Assyrian Church of the East, it celebrates its liturgy in the East Syriac Rite. During Portuguese colonization, these Christians were forced to adopt Western forms and hierarchies, leading to divisions into several churches.
The extraordinary synod on June 14 is seen as a crucial attempt to reconcile internal differences and move towards a peaceful and unified resolution of the liturgical dispute that has affected the Syro-Malabar Church for several years.
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