logo
Syro-Malabar Church row: Protestors blocking suspended priests held

Syro-Malabar Church row: Protestors blocking suspended priests held

KOCHI: Tensions flared on Thursday morning outside the Archbishop's House at Broadway, as the police arrested and removed protestors who attempted to block suspended priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese from attending a crucial meeting convened to address the ongoing Syro-Malabar unified Holy Mass dispute.
The meeting, scheduled for 10 am, was called by Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, Vicar of the Major Archbishop for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly. However, by 9 am, a large crowd supporting unified mass had gathered outside the premises.
They started shouting slogans declaring that priests who had been suspended for opposing the unified Mass system should not be allowed entry.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Unified Holy Mass: Circular read out in most parishes of Ekm-Angamaly archdiocese
Unified Holy Mass: Circular read out in most parishes of Ekm-Angamaly archdiocese

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

Unified Holy Mass: Circular read out in most parishes of Ekm-Angamaly archdiocese

Kochi: Syro-Malabar Church's circular outlining a set of guidelines to resolve the row over implementing the uniform mode of Holy Mass in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese was read out in churches on Sunday. The circular was issued with a directive to be read out during Sunday mass on June 29. The priests of the archdiocese, who were on a warpath with the official leadership, would ignore circulars from bishops until recently. However, the latest circular was read out in most churches, sources said. As per an agreement following discussions, the Church appointed a new curia for the archdiocese. Fr Jimmy Poochakatt, Fr Anto Cheramthiruthi, Fr Jose Puthiyedath, Fr Antony Vazhakala, Fr Paul Meledath and Fr Thomas Vaikathuparamban are the new curia members. According to the circular, a unified Holy Mass should be offered in all parish churches on Sundays and other days of obligation. This arrangement is to commence on July 3, starting from the feast of Dukrana. The uniform Holy Mass should be conducted between 5.30am and 10.30am or between 3.30pm and 6.00pm. In all churches and during all Masses, a Bema should be used as prescribed in the Holy Mass text too. The circular promised that the issues concerning priests, currently subject to disciplinary actions, would be amicably resolved considering canonical legal possibilities.

One Church, One Mass movement members lay siege to Syro-Malabar Church headquarters in Kerala
One Church, One Mass movement members lay siege to Syro-Malabar Church headquarters in Kerala

The Hindu

time19-06-2025

  • The Hindu

One Church, One Mass movement members lay siege to Syro-Malabar Church headquarters in Kerala

Members of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, under the banner of One Church, One Mass movement, laid siege to Mount St. Thomas, the headquarters of the Church, on Thursday (June 19, 2025) morning seeking the resignation of Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil and Vicar of the Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany. Alleging that the two were taking 'an anti-Church stand', the protestors said the duo also permitted priests facing 'disciplinary action' to attend a meeting of priests being held on the day at Renewal Centre at Kaloor. The protestors blocked the two Church leaders in front of Mount St. Thomas. The members further alleged that the Church leadership failed to implement the directives of a special tribunal that had been set up as instructed by the Vatican. In this situation, the Synod of the Church must be dismissed and administrator rule be introduced by the Vatican, according to a release. A section of women members of the Church have in turn laid siege to the Major Archbishop's house, it added.

Christians caught in Nilambur's communal crosscurrents
Christians caught in Nilambur's communal crosscurrents

New Indian Express

time17-06-2025

  • New Indian Express

Christians caught in Nilambur's communal crosscurrents

MALAPPURAM: Ahead of the Nilambur by-election, scheduled for Thursday, political parties are making their final push, with one eye firmly on the Christian vote. Traditionally loyal to the United Democratic Front (UDF), Christians in the constituency are now being courted more aggressively than ever, in what is emerging as a test case for shifting communal and political dynamics in the state. With close to 40,000 voters, Christians account for nearly 11% of the electorate in Nilambur. They comprises mostly migrant highland farmers and their families — about 14,000 Syro-Malabar Catholics, 9,000 Orthodox Christians, 6,000 Marthomites, 4,000 Malankara Catholics, and smaller groups belonging to Latin Catholic, Jacobite, CSI and Pentecostal churches. Historically, this bloc has leaned heavily towards the Congress and the UDF, especially during the tenure of former MLA and veteran leader Aryadan Muhammed. However, the last two elections have indicated a shift — with 1,000 to 2,000 voters reportedly backing LDF-backed Independent candidate P V Anvar. Now, this bypoll comes against the backdrop of growing uneasiness between Christian and Muslim communities in Kerala, a divide that the BJP-led NDA is seeking to exploit. The UDF's alliance with the Welfare Party, linked to the radical Jamaat-e-Islami, has also triggered concerns among Christian organisations. The Catholic Congress (Thamarassery diocese) recently issued a pointed statement cautioning the Congress over its choice of allies. 'This was not a message to influence votes, but a public warning,' clarified Dr Chacko Kalamparambil, president of the Thamarassery unit. 'Political parties must disown the whitewashing of religious extremism. We also strongly condemn the leader of opposition's remarks equating Catholic Congress with CASA.' The remarks stirred a debate, but Congress leadership remains unfazed. KPCC president Sunny Joseph dismissed the controversy, stating, 'The Catholic Congress statement came from the Thamarassery unit, while Nilambur falls under the Mananthavady diocese. We do not believe it will have any significant impact here. Our organisational presence among Christian farmers in Nilambur remains strong.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store