Syro-Malabar Church Leader Expresses Concern Over Christian Emigration from India

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil of the Syro-Malabar Church expressed alarm over the declining Christian population in India, warning that the trend weakens the Church’s public presence. He highlighted the “alarming rate of migration to foreign countries by community members,” which he said has led some to significant debt and left a noticeable absence within the Church in India. Thattil urged Christians to address economic concerns and work toward creating employment opportunities within their communities.

The statement came following the first session of the thirty-fourth Syro-Malabar Episcopal Synod, held from January 6 to 10 at Mount St Thomas in Kakkanad, Kerala. The Synod, the Church’s supreme authority, reaffirmed its decision to maintain the “uniform mode” of the Holy Qurbana, the Syro-Malabar Mass, which was approved in 2021 with the Holy See’s endorsement. This uniform mode is to be observed across all dioceses except the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, where sustained protests led to a liturgical exception.

In Ernakulam-Angamaly, the primatial see, one Mass in the uniform mode—where the priest faces the altar during the Eucharistic rite—is required on Sundays and feast days, while other Masses continue with the priest facing the congregation. Church authorities have called on protesters to reconcile with them on the issue of the uniform mode, emphasizing the importance of unity within the community.

Thattil also condemned the rise in hate crimes against the Christian community in India, noting with concern the attacks and vandalism that occurred during the Christmas season, which caused fear and anxiety among Christians. He called for vigilance and solidarity in the face of such challenges, reflecting on the broader spiritual and administrative concerns facing the Syro-Malabar Church.

The Synod also addressed recent developments, including the redrawing of boundaries for 12 dioceses, the creation of four new ecclesiastical provinces outside Kerala, and the appointment of an apostolic visitor for Syro-Malabar Catholics in the Gulf region. The gathering included 53 bishops from India and abroad, underscoring the Church’s global reach and the importance of its leadership in shaping its future.

As the Syro-Malabar Church continues to navigate these challenges, its focus remains on fostering self-reliance and development, with 2026 designated as the “Community Empowerment Year.” This initiative aims to strengthen the Church’s presence and resilience, both spiritually and economically, in a rapidly changing world.

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