Pope Francis has addressed a paternal exhortation to the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, urging adherence to “the synodal decision concerning the form of celebration of the Holy Qurbana by Easter 2022” as determined by the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Archiepiscopal Church.

Pope Francis has urged Syro-Malabar Catholics opposed to the introduction of a uniform liturgy to take the “difficult and painful step” of accepting the change.

In a three-page letter addressed to members of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, the Holy Father noted that the Synod of Bishops of the Eastern Catholic Church based in India had endorsed the move.

He said that as of Nov. 28, 2021, the date selected for the transition, 34 eparchies had decided to enact the synodal decision.

“Regrettably, this was not the case with yourselves,” he wrote in the March 25 letter. “You chose instead to continue following your particular liturgical form, albeit after careful reflection, in isolation from the rest of the Syro-Malabar Church.”

The Eucharistic liturgy of the Syro-Malabar Church, known as the Holy Qurbana, has been the subject to disputes, the main controversy being centered on a debate about which direction the priest should face when celebrating the liturgy.

Protests against the adoption of a uniform liturgy have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals.

Vatican News, the online news portal of the Holy See, published a summary of the letter on April 1.

In his letter, the pope said he wished to “offer a paternal exhortation to adhere promptly to the synodal decision concerning the form of celebration of the Holy Qurbana prior to Easter 2022, as determined by the Synod.”

He acknowledged that some parishes might need more time to introduce the change “in order to carry out a more ample catechesis.”

“This is understandable, as long as it does not call into question the synodal decision,” he said.

“As provided for in law, it is possible to ask for the necessary dispensation from the Major Archbishop [Cardinal George Alencherry], who is the Metropolitan of the Archeparchy, or with the approval of the Major Archbishop, from his Vicar. “

“The dispensation would be given only for a determined amount of time in accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.”

Concluding, the Holy Father notes: “if we sow in the Lord, we can reap with him, If we sow the wind, we will reap the whirlwind: above all the scandal of division and of a counter-witness given in such a very delicate situation as that in which you [the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly] find yourselves.”

This is the second time that Pope Francis has intervened directly in the liturgical debate.

In July 2021, he wrote a letter exhorting “all the clergy, religious and lay faithful to proceed to a prompt implementation of the uniform mode of celebrating the Holy Qurbana, for the greater good and unity of your Church.”

In his latest letter, the pope acknowledged the sacrifices that the change would require on the part of priests and laypeople.

CNA/VaticanNews