No breakthrough soon: Mar Thattil bats for Uniform Mass, laity members to intensify protests

Kochi: While it was hoped that the issuing of a circular demanding the performance of a unified holy mass and the arrival of the new archbishop would resolve the issue,  a section of laity members under the Syro-Malabar church continued its protest against the synod mass in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese. 

Almaya Munnettam--a forum of laity in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, has made its stance clear in rejecting the decision of the bishops to celebrate the Holy Mass in a unified manner. The forum members protested in front of the Bishop’s house after the office-bearers met at the Kaloor Renewal Retreat Centre. The Almaya Munnettam has decided to intensify its protest in the coming days. 

A protest rally was held in front of the Ernakulam Cathedral Basilica and in front of the Bishop’s house. After this, all the protestors put their objections in a box as a joint request representing each forane and parish. Later, the box was submitted before the curiae to be given to the Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese Bosco Puthur.

At the same time, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil also came forward clarifying that holy mass cannot be celebrated as per the priest’s wishes nor can the liturgy be modified to accommodate the will of individuals. He made this public response regarding the unified holy mass code issue at St Sebastian’s church in Nedumkandam, Idukki.

The synod had issued a written order demanding that a uniform holy mass be conducted in the Syro-Malabar churches. A circular signed by all the bishops who attended the Syro-Malabar church synod on January 13 was forwarded to the priests in this regard.  The believers say that such a decision was taken without any discussion with the laity and thus is not acceptable.