Kochi | Head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, announced his resignation from the post on Thursday.
His decision came amid an ongoing feud in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, involving the implementation of a uniform Holy Mass and the church's land dealings.
Besides the resignation of Alencherry, Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur diocese, Andrews Thazhath, was replaced as Apostolic Administrator of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese with Curia Bishop Bosco Puthur, according to a statement issued by the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Curia.
According to the statement, Thazhath had requested the Pope to excuse him from the position as it was becoming difficult to discharge his other offices of Metropolitan Archbishop and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
Alencherry, while announcing his resignation, also said that till a Major Archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese is appointed, Curia Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal would act as the administrator.
Following these two developments, the Archdiocese Protection Committee of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese welcomed Alencherry's resignation and Thazhath being replaced as the Apostolic Administrator.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee alleged that Alencherry's resignation was the culmination of his "dishonest and insincere" ministry.
It said that his resignation was the success of the honest stand taken by priests and laity of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese regarding the land dispute case allegedly involving Alencherry.
Regarding Thazhath, the committee said he was appointed to negotiate and create a peaceful environment following tensions in the diocese over the new mode of offering Holy Mass.
However, "he chose a path of arrogance and oppression", it alleged.
It contended that had these two developments occurred earlier, the wounds on the church would have been lesser.
Alencherry held the position of Major Archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
In a press conference held here, the Cardinal said that he had, back in 2019, tendered his resignation before the Pope, but the same was not accepted as the Church Synod did not agree with his decision.
Subsequently, he again tendered his resignation in November last year and a year later the Pope accepted it and allowed him to relinquish his position as Major Archbishop and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Alencherry said.
Alencherry, who was born on April 19,1945, at Thuruthy, Changanacherry in Kottayam district of Kerala, was created and proclaimed as Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of February 18, 2012, of the Title of San Bernardo alle Terme (St. Bernard at the Baths).
Prior to that, in May 2011, Pope Benedict XVI had granted him the requested ecclesial communion after his canonical election on May 24, 2011, as Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly for Syro-Malabars by the Syro-Malabar Synod.
When Pope John Paul II established the new Diocese of Thuckalay on November 11, 1996, Alencherry was appointed the first Bishop, and he received episcopal ordination on February 2, 1997.
Alencherry, who holds a BA in Economics from St Berchmans College and an MA from the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, was ordained a priest on December 18, 1972, and served as vicar of the filial church at Periyarmugham and then as assistant vicar at the Cathedral Church of Changanacherry.
The various offices held by him include, director of the Archdiocesan Faith Formation Department, secretary of the Commission for Catechism of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and as chairman of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Catechism, and of the Commission for the Laity of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
Alencherry was also the president of the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church.
He was also part of the conclave of March 2013 which elected Pope Francis.
Kochi | Pope Francis has issued a heartfelt appeal for unity among priests and the faithful in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, emphasising the significance of adhering to decisions made by the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church regarding uniformity in celebrating Holy Mass.
The Pontiff cautioned protesters within the Archeparchy that non-compliance with the Synod's directives could lead to being declared outside of communion with the Church.
In a video message, Pope Francis has implored the faithful of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, including the priests and laity, to celebrate the Qurbana "in communion according to the directions of the Synod" and to honour the Major Archbishop in their liturgies.
He specifically called on priests to remember their ordination and the promises made, urging them not to separate from the Church.
The Pope stressed the importance of walking together with the Synod, Bishops, and the Major Archbishop, implementing liturgical decisions by the upcoming Christmas.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern Oriental Churches in full communion with the Pope.
"In the name of the Lord, for the spiritual good of your Church, of our Church, I ask you to heal this rupture. It is your Church, it is our Church. Re-establish communion, remain in the Catholic Church," he said.
In his message, Pope Francis also asked the priests, who oppose the Synod-approved Holy Mass, not to force "the competent ecclesiastic authority" to recognise that they have left the Church because they are "no longer in communion" with their pastors and with the successor of St Peter, the Pope.
If that happens, he warned that "with great sorrow, sanctions would be incurred. I do not want to reach that stage."
However, the 'Athirupatha Samrakshana Samithi', a layman's forum here, on Thursday said it would continue the fight for the celebration of holy mass facing the people.
Pope Francis's appeal to the faithfuls and priests came months after Vatican issued a strong warning that any disobedience would invite canonical punishment.
A strong section of priests and the laity of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese are at odds with the leadership of the Syro-Malabar Church over its Synod's decision in August 2021 to introduce a standardised manner of celebrating Holy Mass.
According to the 2021 decision of the Syro-Malabar Church Synod, priests must face the faithful only in the first and last parts of the liturgical service, turning towards the altar for the rest of the Holy Mass (50:50 formula).
While most dioceses have adopted this instruction, a majority of priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, supported by their laity, continue to oppose it, citing a departure from the tradition where the priest faces the congregation throughout the Mass.
