Kochi: A group of church-goers stopped the vicar who came to offer the synodal mass at the Kakkanad Francis Assisi Church in the Ernakulam archdiocese. 

The incident transpired while the synod of the Syro-Malabar Church was in session to elect the new major archbishop to succeed Cardinal George Alenchery, who recently resigned from the position of the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.

On Monday morning, a group of believers protested against the uniform mass offered in the synodal mode and entered the vicar’s room. The laity members blocked Vicar Fr. Anthony Mankuriyil, leading to the vicar performing the uniform mass under police protection and without wearing the priest's garb.

Kakkanad Almaya Munnettam office-bearers said they would continue their protest if the priests perform uniform mass again tomorrow. They have also handed over open letters to all bishops of the Syro-Malabar synod with suggestions on the ‘conduct’ of a Major Archbishop.