Syro-Malabar Church
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Land scam: 2017-18
Pope divests powers of Kerala cardinal mired in land ‘scam’, June 23, 2018: The Times of India
Pope Francis divested Cardinal George Mar Alencherry, head of the Syro Malabar church, of his administrative powers on Friday and entrusted them to the Bishop of Palghat, Jacob Manathodath, who has been appointed ‘Administrator Sede Plena’ for the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.
The move comes six months after several priests of the Syro Malabar sought the Holy See’s intervention in the wake of allegations that Cardinal Alencherry and three others sold properties belonging to the diocese at a much discounted price, resulting in substantial financial loss to the church. An auxiliary bishop alleged that this precipitated “a moral crisis”.
It was alleged that Cardinal Alancherry, pro vicar-generals Fr Joshy Puthuva and Fr Sebastian Vadakkumpadan and a layman Saju Varghese sold properties at five locations, totalling about 3 acres. After the controversy spilled over into public domain, the Kerala HC on March 6 ordered cops to file an FIR against Cardinal Alencherry and others, but on May 22 set aside the single bench’s order.
The Vatican has reportedly directed the new administrator not to involve the Major Archbishop in decisions regarding the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and to form a Synodal committee to assist him in his tasks.
Reacting to the development, Cardinal Alencherry put up a brave face. “He (Bishop Manathodath) will be in charge of the administration. I will remain archbishop and I will be kept in the loop on the functioning of the archdiocese,” he said.
150 priests in rebel against reinstated cardinal/ 2019
Disney Tom, June 29, 2019: The Times of India
From: Disney Tom, June 29, 2019: The Times of India
A revolt without precedent has jolted the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala, with at least 150 priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese publicly announcing that they wouldn’t cooperate with Cardinal George Mar Alencherry, who was reinstated by the Vatican as administrative head of the diocese.
Alencherry had been removed from his position as administrative head of the archdiocese a year ago, when an internal commission appointed by the cardinal himself found irregularities in a few land deals done under him that caused huge financial losses to the church.
A draft resolution adopted by the priests states: “Does (the) Vatican and the synod bishops think that priests and the laity will be able to work under an archbishop who is an accused in cases under consideration of courts for financial misappropriation in land deal cases? The new moves of the oriental congregation would only result in the laity losing belief in the synod and the church.”
The likely trigger for the revolt is the suspension of two auxiliary bishops — Sebastian Adayanthrath and Jose Puthenveetil — following Alencherry’s reinstatement. The two bishops had been cooperating with the priests during their campaign against alleged irregularities in the controversial land deals. The resolution demands to know the reason for the removal of the auxiliary bishops. “Why did the oriental congregation remove the bishops. What crime did they do? It was over 400 priests of the archdiocese that began this struggle to know the truth behind the land deals. Was the unforgivable crime done by the bishops that they cooperated with the priests after knowing the truth? If that was the case, why did the authority that suspended the bishops not suspend the priests as well?” it asks.
Sources said the draft resolution signed by all the priests would be submitted to the church authorities, including the nuncio (Pope’s representative).
YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
2020
Santa Anastasia basilica, Rome, assigned
Syro-Malabar Church gets 4th century basilica in Rome, July 20, 2020: The Times of India
Kochi:
Santa Anastasia Minor Basilica in Rome, one of the oldest Christian churches and one of the oldest minor basilicas in the world, has been assigned to Kerala based Syro-Malabar Church (SMC) by the Vatican. SMC said in a press statement on Sunday that Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, the vicar general of Pope Francis for the diocese of Rome, has issued a decree, assigning the fourth century church to SMC. “This basilica from now on would become the centre of pastoral activities of the faithful of the Syro-Malabar Church which is one of the foremost Oriental Churches in apostolic tradition and the zeal of faith,” the SMC said.
Emperor Constantine started the construction of the basilica during 325-326 AD. Situated very close to the Colosseum, the church is built on the Palatine Hill, the administrative centre of the Roman empire. Until the end of the 7th century, Popes celebrated Christmas mass in this basilica. St Jerome, the Bible scholar, preached in this church. Built in the baroque style, the church is famous for its architectural splendour and decorative works. “A priest designated by the Syro-Malabar major archbishop will be appointed as the chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Catholics. The chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Catholics will be also be the rector of the Basilica,” Fr Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, PRO of SMC, said.
2022
Priests protest Vatican-decreed ‘unified’ Mass
August 8, 2022: The Times of India
Kochi : Simmering discontent among a large section of priests and laity of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese against attempts by Vatican-appointed prelates of the Syro Malabar church to impose the ‘uniform’ holy Mass spilled on to the streets on Sunday as thousands of faithful from various parishes took out a march and held a public gathering at Kaloor in Kerala’s Kochi. The dissenting priests and laity want the old form of Mass — where the priests at the altar face the worshippers.
Organisers said that over 50,000 members of various parishes, most priests of the archdiocese, nuns and representatives from other dioceses attended the event at the Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium. The main reasons which triggeredthe protest were the call to implement the uniform Mass, the forced resignation of Mar Antony Kariyil, the former metropolitan vicar of the archdiocese who supported the priests in opposing the uniform Mass, and the issue over the restitution of the losses incurred by the archdiocese in controversial land deals. Those who participated in the rally were holding placards hailing Mar Kariyil. In what seems to be an attemptto gather the attention of the Vatican, many placards were written in Italian. One placard said, “Richiediamo giustizia e transparenza” (loosely translated as “we demand justice and transparency”) while another said, “Mar Kariyil E' IL Nostro Buon Pastore (Mar Kariyil is our good shepherd)”. Monsignor Varghese Njaliyath declared that the priests in the archdiocese will only conduct the Mass facing the people.
