Kochi - Archbishop Cyril Vasil, the papal delegate appointed by Pope Francis, through a letter has exhorted the priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archeparchy to implement the uniform code of celebration of Syro-Malabar Qurbana by 20th August 2023 in all Churches of the Archeparchy.

The decision has been taken considering the clear instructions given by the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and the decree of Pope Francis, the synodal decision on the uniform mode of celebration of the Holy Qurbana.

Full text of the letter from the papal delegate is as follows :-

To all priests of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly Dear Brother Priests of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly,

In the wake of the particular situation in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly wherein, against the definitive decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, the express directives given by the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and the explicit demand of the Holy Father Pope Francis, the Synodal decision on the mode of celebration of the Holy Qurbana is not yet implemented in many churches, I, the undersigned Archbishop Cyril Vasil' SJ, after due consultation with all whom I met these days, considering the representation and memoranda received from various parts of the eparchy, after due study, reflection and prayer, and after having consulted the competent organs of the Apostolic See, in my capacity as the Pontifical Delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, with authority delegated to me by the Holy Father Pope Francis, communicate to all the priests of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly and the religious residing or working in the Archeparchy the following decisions:

1) Implement the Synodal decision on the mode of celebration of the Holy Qurbana with effect from 20 August 2023. Any disobedience to this order will be considered voluntary, personal and culpable disobedience to the Holy Father. Therefore, it is hereby intimated to each of you personally that noncompliance with this direction will inevitably invite further disciplinary actions. If, in an individual case, you find it difficult to implement this, i.e., celebrating according to the synodal decision, due to some physical impediments in the form of intimidation, physical violence, menaces, public disorders created by other persons, etc., I authorize and order you not to conduct any public celebration of the Holy Qurbana until a conducive situation for the celebration the Holy Qurbana according to the Synodal decision is assured.

2) Read out the letter of the Holy Father Pope Francis, dated 25 March 2022, addressed to the people of God in the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, on Sunday, 20 August 2023, to the congregation during all liturgical celebrations in all the parish churches, filial churches and all other institutions where Sunday Qurbana is celebrated.

After executing this order, send to the chancellor of the Archeparchial Curia of Ernakulam-Angamaly a letter confirming the reading, attested by the Parish Priest, the assistant parish priests, if any, and the kaikars and two representatives of the parish council, preferably the Vice Chairman and the Secretary. In other cases, the person in charge of the institution shall send the report to the Archeparchial Curia. I also ask you not to distort the intention of the Holy Father expressed clearly in this letter with subjective interpretations but rather use all means to explain the content directly and clearly to help the people of God understand the will of the Holy Father regarding the implementation of the Holy Qurbana according to the Synodal decision in the Archeparchy. Any disobedience to this order is an act of impeding the right of the Holy Father to communicate with the people of God, which will be considered a serious delict against the Holy Father with subsequent canonical penal sanctions.

3) Commemorate the legitimate hierarchs during the celebration of the Holy Qurbana. By this letter, I order each of you personally to commemorate the Pope, the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator in all liturgical celebrations as prescribed in the liturgical texts and ensure that all those who assist the liturgical celebrations do the same. I hereby warn you that any negligence to fulfil this order will invite canonical punishments as prescribed in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (c. 1438).

I remind you, brother priests, to pray ardently and think seriously over your pledge of obedience taken at the time of your Sacred Ordination. I invite you to obey the legitimate authority, set a good example before the faithful, and lead a life worthy of the Sacred Order received as a total gift from God through the Church, administered by the ecclesiastical authorities.

Entrusting you all to the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Yours fraternally in the Lord,

Archbishop Cyril Vasil' SJ
Pontifical Delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly
17 August 2023.