Mass Resistance: Syro-Malabar Priests Defy Papal Delegate’s Deadline

Mass Resistance: Syro-Malabar Priests Defy Papal Delegate’s Deadline

Priests across the Indian Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly have defied an ultimatum from Pope Francis’ special delegate, and refused to adopt a new uniform form of the liturgy for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.Archbishop Cyril Vasil’, SJ, the pope’s special envoy to the Syro-Malabar sui iuris Church, set a deadline last week of Aug. 20 for priests and laity to drop their opposition to the uniform mode of celebrating the Holy Qurbana, the sacred Eucharistic liturgy of the Syro-Malabar Church, or face ecclesiastical sanctions. Vasil’ told dissenting priests and laity that they risked canonical penalties, including excommunication, if they continued to defy the authority of the Syro-Malabar synod — the authoritative governing body for the Eastern Church — and of Pope Francis. But on Sunday, hundreds of protestors blocked the celebration of Holy Qurbana at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ernakulam. Across the diocese, protests prevented the uniform mode from being offered in the handful of churches with priests willing to toe the Vatican line, including St. Joseph's Church in Chunangamvely, St. Thomas’ Church in Malayattoor; and Holy Cross Church in Manjapra. So far, only six of the archeparchy’s more than 320 parishes have been willing to adopt the uniform mode.  Source