Syro-Malabar Church Seeks Peace After Years of Liturgy Dispute in Kerala

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India is moving towards peace after decades of bitter conflict over how the Mass should be celebrated in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil confirmed that a series of resolutions agreed last week aim to “restore peace” within the Church, following years of protests, court cases, and divisions over liturgical practices.

At the heart of the dispute was whether priests should face the congregation throughout Mass—a practice adopted locally after the Second Vatican Council—or turn towards the altar during the Eucharistic prayer, as mandated by a 2021 Synod decree.

While the Synod insisted on a “unified liturgy” blending both traditions, most priests and laity in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese refused to comply, leading to hunger strikes, protests, and violent incidents. Effigies of Church leaders were even burnt as tensions escalated.

Despite Pope Francis repeatedly urging the adoption of the Synod’s liturgy—including through personal letters and a stark video warning of canonical penalties—local resistance persisted. In 2023, the Vatican dispatched Slovak Jesuit Archbishop Cyril Vasil as a special delegate, but even his ultimatum failed to resolve the crisis.

A breakthrough finally came on 19 June, when over 300 priests met Church leaders, including Thattil and Archbishop Joseph Pamplany. Under the new compromise, priests in the archdiocese may continue celebrating Mass facing the people (versus populum), but must offer at least one Sunday and feast-day Mass using the Synod-approved format.

The new arrangement takes effect on 3 July, the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, regarded as the founder of Indian Christianity.

The Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency, which spearheaded the protests, declared its acceptance of the deal, noting that their key demand—the right to celebrate facing the people—was partially upheld.

Despite lingering tensions from some who favour a strict adoption of the Synod’s liturgy, Church leaders express cautious optimism that the compromise may finally bring unity to the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, home to roughly half a million Syro-Malabar Catholics—around 10% of the Church worldwide.

As Thattil stated in his circular, the goal now is mutual trust and reconciliation, signalling hope for an end to one of the most divisive chapters in the Church’s recent history.

Compiled by Catholic Connect Reporter