Syro-Malabar Church Bishops Challenge Excommunication Warning: A Call for Unity

Five bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church have criticized a recent circular by their church head that warns priests who oppose changes to Holy Mass customs will be excommunicated. They argue the decision lacks synod consultation and risks dividing the church community.

In a bold move, five bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church have openly criticized a recent circular issued by their church head, which threatens excommunication for priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese who protest against changes to Holy Mass customs. The bishops allege the circular, which was jointly issued by Syro-Malabar Church head Raphael Thattil and its Apostolic Administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9, 2024, harkens back to 'middle-age culture of the Church.'

The five bishops, namely Ephrem Nariculam, Jose Chittooparambil CMI, Jose Puthenveettil, Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, and Sebastian Adayanthrath, raised their concerns in a dissent note. They emphasized that excommunication is a concept largely deemed obsolete post the II Vatican Council and questioned the lack of synod consultation before issuing such a serious directive.

This dissent arises as the Syro-Malabar Church issued an ultimatum to priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese to adopt a uniform Holy Mass starting from July 3, 2024, a mandate that has faced resistance from both priests and laity who argue it breaks from traditional practices.

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