Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, in a letter addressed to His Beatitude Cardinal George Alencherry, has given a final directive regarding the implementation of the Synodal formula of Holy Qurbana in the entire Syro-Malabar Church. The letter is a directive to go along with the decisions of the Synod.
Cardinal Sandri exhorted that the common good requires that the members of the Synod of Bishops be the first to commit themselves to the faithful observance of the liturgical prescriptions established by the Synod. The bishops are to distance themselves from the methods of protest and activism that are incompatible with the obligations of "clerics”.
Cardinal Sandri recalled the observance of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, that unity should be experienced in accordance with what has been laid down by the Synods and approved by the Apostolic See when it comes to (Eucharistic) celebrations. The Holy Father had made this observation during his recent address to the Participants in the Plenary Meeting of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.
Cardinal Sandri also exhorted Archbishop Antony Kariyil, Vicar of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, to revoke the dispensation incorrectly extended to the entire Archeparchy for an indefinite period, with regards to the implementation of Uniform Liturgy. Archbishop Kariyil is to direct all priests in his eparchy to celebrate the Holy Qurbana in the synodal form.
Cardinal also reprimanded the clergy in assorting to activism and protests using non-ecclesial and non-Christian methods such as hunger strike. He reminded the clergy on the promise they had taken on the day of their ordination to show reverence and obedience to their proper hierarchs.
Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry has in turn requested all Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious and Lay faithful of the Syro-Malabar community to implement the Synodal formula of Holy Qurbana in the entire Syro-Malabar Church.
The complete text of the letters follows
