Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Church has issued an ultimatum to end the ongoing noncompliance of a section of priests who refuse to celebrate the Holy Mass in the prescribed unified form. The Church leadership, in a strongly-worded circular, stated that priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese who do not adhere to the prescribed form by July 3, St Thomas Day, will be shown the door. These priests will be considered defrocked or out of the Church, the circular suggested.

Since November 28, 2021, the directive from the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops has directed Holy Mass to be celebrated in a unified form in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese. However, some priests and believers oppose this unified method. Despite various discussions, no resolution has been reached.

Amidst this gridlock, key figures, including Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, recently held a meeting in the Vatican to address the issue. The ultimatum, delivered in a new circular, follows this meeting and a final directive from the Vatican. 

The circular has been jointly issued by Mar Thattil and Apostolic Administrator Mar Bosco Puthur. According to the circular, priests who do not comply with the unified offering will be considered as having left the Church. These priests will not be allowed to  perform sacraments, and believers are advised not to attend their services. Weddings conducted by these priests will not be recognised as valid by the Church, the circular added.

The circular also slammed Almaya Munnettam--a forum of laity in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese that opposes the unified celebration of Holy Mass.

The Synod believes that the controversy over the mode of celebrating Holy Mass has escalated due to a section of priests and laity engaging in illogical stubbornness, non-Catholic pursuits, and unacceptable protest methods and smear campaigns. The circular made it clear that such individuals would not be allowed to remain part of the Catholic Church.