After Four Years, Conciliar Rite Returns to Syro-Malabar Cathedral in Ernakulam, India

The Syro-Malabar Cathedral in Ernakulam, India, has resumed celebrating the Eucharist with the celebrant facing the congregation, marking a significant step toward resolution in a four-year liturgical dispute. The decision, made on August 30, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of St Mary, reflects a compromise that allows for exceptions within the broader “unified rite” established by the Syro-Malabar Bishops’ Synod.

The controversy began in November 2021 when the synod mandated that all Masses be celebrated with the priest facing the altar throughout the entire Eucharistic prayer. This decision aimed to standardize the liturgy across the church, which had previously seen varying practices between communities. However, the Archieparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, led by its clergy and faithful, resisted this change, preferring the traditional form where the priest faces the congregation. The disagreement escalated into protests and even violent incidents, leading to the temporary closure of the cathedral.

Fr Kuriakose Mundadan, secretary of the Archieparchy’s Council of Priests, noted that the decision to implement the “unified rite” was met with strong opposition. The Archieparchy argued that the change hindered the active participation of the faithful, a principle emphasized by the Second Vatican Council. The conflict reached a legal stage in 2025 when the Archdiocese, under the leadership of Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, sought a resolution through dialogue.

A consensus was eventually reached within the Archieparchy, allowing parishes to celebrate Mass in the synodal form on Sundays and holy days while permitting other Masses with the priest facing the congregation. However, the cathedral remained a point of contention. Legal proceedings were initiated, and the High Court of Kerala clarified that there was no outright ban on the traditional form. This ruling enabled the two opposing factions to agree on extending the parish approach to the cathedral.

The compromise now allows for a blend of practices at the cathedral, including wedding services and solemn Masses in the synodal form for those who prefer it. This resolution underscores the church’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition with the need for unity and active participation in the liturgy. The situation reflects the broader challenges faced by the Syro-Malabar Church in navigating liturgical reforms while respecting the diverse traditions of its communities.

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