Kerala: Nudged by Vatican, Syro-Malabar Bishop Kariyil Steps Down Over Uniform Holy Mass Issue

Verghese V Joseph –

Bengaluru: Following an ongoing dispute over the conduct of uniform holy mass, the Vatican on Tuesday intervened in the matter and sought the resignation of Kerala Syro-Malabar’s Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese Bishop Antony Kariyil.

Archbishop Kariyil reportedly signed his resignation letter after Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli visited Kerala on Tuesday to express Vatican’s strong disapproval over the brewing controversy on uniform Holy Mass.

The notice barred the bishop from residing in areas under the Ernakulam- Angamali archdiocese.

In July last year, Pope Francis wrote to the Syro-Malabar Church and asked for it to adopt the unified rite, and media reports indicate it is over this issue that the Vatican has asked Kariyil to resign.

During Kariyil’s tenure, the liturgical controversy continued to dominate the Eastern church, with many congregations resistant to a “unified” liturgy meant to end the various ways of celebrating the Eucharist within the church. Although most of the church has accepted the unified rite, Kariyil has continued with dispensations due to strong opposition to it from certain segments of the clergy.

For several decades, dioceses under the Syro-Malabar Church have been following different modes of holy mass offering. While a section of priests offers mass facing the people, another does so facing the altar. In certain other dioceses, the church follows a mix of both.

As per the uniform mode, priests and bishops under Syro-Malabar Church in all dioceses have to perform the ritual facing the altar throughout the service.

Hailing from Cherthala in Kerala, Archbishop Kariyil was ordained priest in 1997. A post- graduate in philosophy with doctorate in sociology, he served as principal of Christ College, Bengaluru, and has held several other positions. He was appointed as the second bishop of Mandya in 2015.

Archbishop Kariyil was appointed Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly just three years ago, taking over administrative duties from Cardinal George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the archdiocese and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, who was embroiled in a controversial land deal which led to protests by priests in 2017.