Some Indian Catholics Defy Pope Francis

One might have thought that the very recent intervention of the Holy See was likely to ease the crisis which for several years has threatened the very existence of the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern church united to Rome with a tradition dates back to St. Thomas the Apostle.

As mentioned by FSSPX.News, the Vatican accepted the resignation of Indian Cardinal George Alencherry, aged 78, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, as well as his number two, Bishop Andrews Thazhath: two figures judged to be too divisive to resolve the liturgical quarrel which opposes the majority of a clergy on the verge of schism against a hierarchy faithful to the directives.

An Attempt at Appeasement 

In a video message, Pope Francis even intervened by attempting a more paternal approach: “See to it that by Christmas 2023 your archdiocese humbly and faithfully agrees to catch up with the rest of your Church, respecting all the directions of your synod.”

The priests of the Eparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly responded to Peter's successor with a gesture of defiance: in order to solemnize the centenary of the reestablishment of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy in India, 400 priests gathered on December 10, 2023 at Cochin (State of Kerala) in order to concelebrate a liturgy facing the people and in the vernacular breaking with Tradition, which Rome is trying to reestablish.

The person of the Roman Pontiff was not spared: “The archdiocese has never disobeyed the Pope, but it is a fact that there are ambiguities in his last video message” declared one of the representatives of the rebellious clergy.

An eminent layman, a former judge at the Indian Supreme Court, went further: “a pope can make mistakes, and you must then have the courage to tell him and correct them,” explains Kurian Joseph, who believes that the pope has been “deceived” about the reality of the case.

These comments were denounced the next day by the spokesperson for the Syro-Malabar Church who believe it is the disobedient priests who are misleading the faithful, and insists on the fact that there can be no possible compromise to accepting the liturgical reform desired by the Holy See by the pope’s date of Christmas.

At present, the impasse seems total, and if actions follow words, it is very likely that a notable part of the Church in Kerala will leave the Church’s fold, which will not will not help the affairs of Catholics in India. Indeed, this mark of weakness will be exploited by the Hindu nationalists in power who have increased persecution of the Church since BJP’s ascension to power.

As a last resort, the Pope asked Archbishop Cyril Vasil to return to Kerala to end the conflict, after he had already been sent last August. During the first trip, the Pope's special envoy suffered acts of aggression from certain faithful of the only eparchy – out of 35 – which refuses to compromise on the form of the celebration of the Mass.