‘Catholicos’ controversy creates rift between Malankara Catholic and Orthodox Churches

New Delhi – An unusual controversy involving an official announcement made by a Vatican official that the Catholic Church does not have a ‘Catholicos’ in its Code of Canon Law and the Holy See has not conferred such a title to anyone in India, has formed a rift between the Syro–Malankara and the Malankara Orthodox Churches in India.

The Syro–Malankara Church has been calling Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios of Trivandrum its ‘Catholicos’ ever since the Vatican announced the head of the Oriental–rite Catholic Church as the Major Archbishop in February, earlier this year. Cyril Mar Baselios was officially installed as Major Archbishop of the newly elevated Major Archiepiscopal Syro–Malankara Church on May 14.

However, an official Vatican statement clarified that the Holy See has not given any such title to His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios, who has been given only ‘Major Archbishop’ title.

“We can only confirm that the title of Catholicos has not been given by the Holy See to His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios: (1) that the title of `Major Archbishop’ is the only one mentioned in the decree of elevation issued by the Holy See, and in all Vatican messages or publications regarding this nomination; (2) that the title of Catholicos does not appear in the Code of Cannon Law for the eastern churches,” said Cardinal Walter Kasper, chairman, Pontifical Council, Vatican, in a communication to His Grace Philipos Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan of Thumpamon and head of the Malankara Orthodox Church committee for inter–church relations.

“We have also been informed that His Beatitude Cardinal Moussa I Daoud did not use the title Catholicos during his stay in Kerala, on the occasion of the celebrations for the elevation of His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios,” he said.

The response from the Vatican came following a strong protest voiced by the Malankara Orthodox Church to the use of the title ‘Catholicos’ by the new Major Archbishop of Syro–Malankara Church, as the head of the Malankara Orthodox Church is known as the ‘Catholicos.’

The Malankara Orthodox Church had also decided not to continue the dialogue with the Catholic Church in the framework of the annual joint international commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Church.

His Grace Philipos Mar Eusebius represented the Malankara Church in the last joint commission meeting held in Rome. His Grace Job Mar Philoxenos, Delhi Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Church, had met the papal representative in Delhi and objected to the use of the title of Catholicos by the Major Archbishop.

“We deeply regret that the use of the title Catholicos, for which the Holy See and this Pontifical Council are not responsible, could lead to this difficult situation. Knowing how important the activities of this joint international commission have been for the development of fraternal relations between the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Kerala, it would be a great loss if this commission were not able to continue its activities. It is my hope and prayer that we will be able to overcome this difficulty, for the greater good of promotion of Christian unity,” the Cardinal said.

The Syro–Malankara Church shares traditions and customs with the Malankara Orthodox Church, to which it formerly belonged. It entered the Catholic fold in 1930 with a papal assurance that its people could continue their customs, traditions and liturgy in the Catholic Church. The elevation of Major Archbishop came along with the elevation of the Syro–Malankara Church to Major Archiepiscopal status, which gives it a large degree of autonomy.

The Catholic Church in India comprises the Latin–rite Church, the Syro–Malankara Church and the Syro–Malabar Church, another Oriental–rite Church based in Kerala. The Syro–Malankara Church is the smallest of the three, with about 325,000 members.

However, Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios confirmed at a press conference recently that his people would continue to address him as Catholicos in line with their tradition. He also said that Cardinal Kasper might not be aware of all the traditions of the Syro–Malankara Church and apparently wrote to the Orthodox Church without verifying facts and traditions.

"The title Catholicos was not given by the Holy See and neither have we requested it," the prelate explained adding that when the Vatican made him Major Archbishop, Syro–Malankara Catholics began using the title according to their tradition.

“I am eligible to use the title Catholicos. It is our tradition. We will defend our tradition and autonomy,” he said.

"I'm pained and members of the Syro–Malankara Church felt humiliated the way Rome dealt with this issue. We are not against the unity of Churches, but we are against blackmail tactics. One should not compromise truth in the name of Church unity," the Major Archbishop continued.

Dismissing the Orthodox Church's opposition, he said the title Catholicos is being used by five Churches today. “I don't know whether they (Orthodox Church) have a patent for the title,” he added.

Major Archbishop Baselios also added that contrary to what Cardinal Kasper stated, the head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Cardinal Ignace Mousa Daoud, who officiated at his installation ceremony as Major Archbishop, had indeed addressed him as "Catholicos."

He said when the Vatican raised the Syro Malankara Church as a major archiepiscopal church earlier this year, it meant that the church has been given complete powers for self–rule. “Catholicos is the head of our church under the Holy Father. The title is automatically conferred to the church, and it is not officially given by the Vatican,” Major Archbishop Baselios explained.

“[Cardinal Kasper] does not appear to know all this," he continued, adding that when the Vatican had informed him of the Orthodox Church's protest, he had replied "briefly."

"I was preparing a detailed letter for Rome explaining the traditions of the Syro–Malankara Church. Meanwhile Cardinal Kasper wrote to the Orthodox Church without verifying our traditions," he said.

Among the Oriental–rite, or Eastern, Catholic Churches, only the Ukrainian, Syro–Malabar and Syro–Malankara Church have been raised to major archiepiscopal status since the new Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches took effect in 1991.

Father John Kochuthundiyil, chancellor of Trivandrum Syro–Malankara archdiocese, regretted that protests "are born out of sheer jealousy and ignorance." He said the Church document that named their prelate Major Archbishop clearly stated his authority.

According to Fr. Kochuthundiyil, the document said Major Archbishop Baselios is "the head and Father of our Church and, in hierarchical union with Holy Father, represents the supreme authority of the same Church.”

However, Malankara Orthodox Bishop Eusebius was firm in his stance. "When we found the Syro–Malankara Church using the Catholicos title for its head, we wrote to Rome about it, as there is no such title among the Catholic clergy," he said.

"We got the reply from the cardinal," and it was published in the newspapers, the bishop said.