The Syro-Malabar Church Has a New Leader

Since the letter signed by the Supreme Pontiff on January 9, 2024, the Syro-Malabar Church--one of the 23 Eastern sui iuris churches attached to the Apostolic See--has a new leader whose task will have nothing to envy of the trials of Hercules.

This Church has been torn apart for several years by a liturgical quarrel that FSSPX.News has already analyzed several times, and the new Archbishop will have much to do in order to avoid schism and reunite the four million faithful and the hundreds of priests who compose this Church, mainly present in the Indian State of Kerala.

A positive sign: Unlike previous prelates appointed by Rome to resolve the liturgical crisis, the election of Archbishoop Thattil confirmed by Pope Francis was well received on the spot.

Thus, Fr. Joyce Kaithakottil, one of the twelve priests elected last year to represent the clergy of the eparchy--or diocese--in the talks with the representatives of the bishops’ council, stated: “I welcome his election and wish him all the best in his mission in the present scenario of the Church.”

“He is ready for dialogue and he will look for possibilities to find a solution to the crisis,” stated the priest who thinks the new Archbishop will practice “an amicable way of accomodating differences,” and that “he can even brief Pope Francis with regard to the ground realities of the liturgical dispute.”

“May the Holy Spirit foster the unity, fidelity, and mission of the Syro-Malabar Church, so that it may grow and flourish under your paternal guidance,” the Holy Father wrote in his letter of confirmation on January 9. 

A Particularly Delicate Mission

Born in Thrissur, in Kerala, in 1956, in a family of ten children, the prelate was ordained a priest in 1980. After obtaining a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome, the future leader of the Syro-Malabar Church was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur (Thrissur) in 2010, at the age of 53.

In 2013, he became Apostolic Visitor for the faithul of the Syro-Malabar rite living in India, but outside of the proper territory of this Church, then Bishop of Shamshabad in 2018. He speaks Malayalam and English fluently, and also is proficient in Italian and German.

Shortly before his instatement as fourth Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, on January 11, 2024, at the sanctuary of Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad, Archbishop Thattil wanted to show confidence: “God give me the strength necessary to complete my new mission,” he said, before adding that he would “take everyone into account.”

The coming weeks should be crucial for the future of the Syro-Malabar Church, because Archbishop Thattil appears to be the last chance for Rome to drive away the specter of schism.