Kochi: Vatican has issued an ultimatum to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly on the celebration of Holy Qurbana in the uniform code as instructed by the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops. The Vatican has instructed Mar Antony Kariyil to resign. The bishop was summoned to Delhi by the Vatican Nuncio last week. The notice to resign was issued following this meeting.

The Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly has refused to celebrate the Holy Qurbana as prescribed by the Synod. The dissident priests of the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese filed a complaint with Pope Francis and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Oriental Churches demanding that the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly be allowed to continue the Holy Qurbana in the earlier code, ie, the priests facing the faithful instead of facing the Altar during some sections of the Holy Qurbana. But the Vatican instructed the Archdiocese to abide by the decision of the Syro Malabar Synod of Bishops.

A few days ago, Vatican's Nuncio to India Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli summoned the administrator of the Archdiocese, Mar Antony Kariyil to New Delhi with the intention of directly informing him of the Pope's decision.

There are indications that the disputes in the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese regarding the Uniform Mass will escalate. There are also reports that an agitation led by the rebel priests with the participation of the few laity is in the pipeline.  However, our representative reports that the majority of Ernakulam Angamaly laity and a few priests stand by the decision of the Syro Malabar Synod as instructed by the Vatican.