The Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church has officially approved a resolution to end a liturgical conflict that has troubled the Church for years.
Meeting from 18 to 29 August in Kerala, the Synod ratified what leaders are calling a “peace formula” on 19 August. Church sources said the decision was reached unanimously, describing it as an “inclusive formula” involving clergy, religious, and laity.
The dispute dates back more than fifty years but came to a head in 2021, when priests and laity in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese resisted a Synod directive requiring priests to face the altar during the Eucharistic prayer. They insisted on continuing the earlier practice of facing the congregation throughout the Mass.
The settlement allows archdiocesan priests to keep their tradition, while also requiring each parish to celebrate one Synod-approved Mass on Sundays and feast days. Synod leaders, including Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, stressed that this arrangement is a “liturgical exception” and applies only to the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.
The bishops acknowledged that the compromise was the “best option available,” as the conflict risked causing a schism. They said it was vital to end the dispute, which had become a source of scandal and division within the Catholic community.
Despite the agreement, challenges remain. Around 12 churches in the archdiocese are still closed due to police and court cases, including St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, the seat of the Major Archbishop. Synod leaders expressed hope that the settlement will lead to cases being withdrawn and churches reopening soon.
The Vatican had already ended its direct administration of the archdiocese in June, two years after appointing a Pontifical Delegate to oversee its affairs.
The Syro-Malabar Church, based in Kerala, is one of the largest Eastern Rite Catholic Churches, with around 5 million members worldwide.
Adapted from UCA News.
