Anonymous author

( Latin word “Ultra Vires” meaning ‘Beyond the Powers’
‘ഉൾത്രാ വീറെസ്’ എന്ന ലത്തീൻ വാക്ക് = ഇല്ലാത്ത അധികാരം പ്രയോഗിക്കൽ)

Special Correspondent: Regarding Ernakaulam Angamaly Holy Qurbana present issues

The Major Archbishop issued a notice on 2024 July 1, that was ultra vires, exceeding the limits of his authorized powers. Read the full article below.👇🏽

Meeting and Circular

On May 15, 2024, a high command meeting was held in the Vatican under the directive of Pope Francis. This meeting led to significant decisions about the uniform mode of the Holy Qurbana in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archeparchy, which has not aligned with the Synodal decisions concerning the lawful and consistent celebration of the Holy Qurbana.The Vatican’s directives were summarized in a joint circular released on June 9, 2024, by the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator. This circular mandates a unified method of celebrating the Holy Qurbana across the entire Ernakulam-Angamaly Archeparchy, starting on July 3, Syro-Malabar Day.

Emergence of Dissent

However, a collusion and conspiracy has emerged from five native bishops of Ernakulam, who have publicly contested Pope Francis and the Holy See’s decision.

This dissent led to a post-Synodal notice on June 21, revising the June 9 circular issued by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil and Apostolic Administrator Mar Bosco Puthur.

Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Bishop of Faridabad, Delhi, and four other bishops expressed their dissent on social media, a move that the Holy See is taking seriously.

Synod’s Stance

The dissent note of the five bishops was discussed during an online Synod on June 19, despite it not being on the agenda. The majority of bishops in the Synod entrusted the Major Archbishop to strictly abide by the directives of the Holy See. Therefore, the Synod confirmed that the key decisions of the June 9 circular remain in force. The only major change is that priests who celebrate at least one Holy Qurbana in the uniform licit mode on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation will not face canonical penal actions.

Consequences for Non- Compliance

According to the June 9 circular, each priest who disobeys the Pope and Synod’s instructions, by not complying with the celebration of the unified and licit Holy Qurbana according to the liturgical prescriptions will be considered out of fellowship with the Catholic Church and will face excommunication. This process will begin on July 4, with the suspension of priestly faculties as a first step. Suspended priests will have no rights to administer any sacraments from July 4 onwards, and the faithful are advised not to associate with these priests.

The ambiguities in the June 21 notice regarding weekdays and Sunday Holy Qurbanas in the illicit and abrogated form must be addressed decisively. The June 9 circular should be implemented with ecclesiastical courage and pastoral prudence to maintain the clear directives of the Pope and the Holy See.

Role of the radical Group AMT

Dissident priests and the radical lay group Almaya Munnettam (AMT) categorically objected to complying with such directives. Fr. Kuriakose Mundadan openly criticized and rejected the Major Archbishop’s directives. In response, the Major Archbishop called for a consensus meeting on the morning of July 1 and issued another notice.

Controversial Consensus Notice (The Ultra vires )

This ‘consensus notice’ , which is not a circular, is seen as opposing the Pope and the Holy See. It is shocking that the Major Archbishop formed a delegation at his Major Archiepiscopal Curia for a consensus meeting in Kakkanad under the chairmanship of Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplani, the Secretary of the Synod, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurakkal, the Curia Bishop, Mar Bosco Puthur, the Apostolic Administrator, and the Curia Chancellor Fr. Abraham Kavilpurayidom.*The Major Archbishop has no such power to convene a meeting with the dissident priests and the AMT radical group for a consensus which is an absolute act of ‘ultra vires’.
The full text of the illegal agreement, spanning two pages, has been shared on social media. It bears the signatures of three bishops, including the Curia Bishop but without the signature of the Major Archbishop and it is on the Major Archiepiscopal curia letter head.
But the July 1 notice issued by the Major Archbishop on the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese letter head bears the signature of the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrtor. It is quite dubious.

This so called agreement represents a grave violation of the precedence of authority within the Church and constitutes a misuse of the office of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, as it was signed using its official letterhead.

It is questionable, who gave permission for this delegation to sign this invalid consensus that completely overturned the directives of the Pope and the Holy See, especially since the prerogatives for Sacred Liturgy matters are entirely bestowed upon the Papal Delegate, Archbishop Mar Cyril Vasil.

Reasonable Questions ?

Was this move not pre-planned by the Major Archiepiscopal Curia with the full knowledge and consent of the Major Archbishop?

Did the Major Archbishop obtain concurrence from Dicastery Prefect Cardinal Gugerotti and Papal Delegate Archbishop Mar Cyril Vasil in this matter?

Did they permit the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator to sign the agreement allowing both licit and illicit celebrations to be conducted as the Syro-Malabar Liturgy?

Did they give permission to sign consensus number 3 of the July 1 notice of the Major Archbishop Mar Raphel Thattil, which undermines the very essence of Eastern Canon Law and the Particular Law ?

Should the Pope, the Holy See, and the Syro-Malabar Synod heed the canonical bodies of a single Eparchy among the 35 eparchies to make a decision on liturgical matters, completely overturning the Vatican Council documents, the Exhortations of the Popes and Canon laws of the Church pertaining to liturgical matters?

Furthermore, who is the AMT to represent the lay faithful of Ernakulam-Angamaly when more than 90% of the faithful stand with the Pope and the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops? This is truly shameful.

MAB making a mockery of the Holy See and the Synod

It is quite unfortunate that the Major Archbishop signed the invalid consensus notice along with the Apostolic Administrator, completely bypassing the Synod’s decisions as outlined in the June 9 circular according to the directives of Vatican and the June 21 post-Synod notice, making a mockery of the Holy See as well as the Synod, the decision-making body of the Sui Iuris Syro Malabar Church.

It is evident that Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplani, the Secretary of the Synod, was in the Curia for several days before the so-called consensus meeting. It is reliably understood that Mar Pamplani was dialoguing with dissident and rebel priests during these days, and he arranged the atmosphere for the meeting with the rebel priests and AMT members.

Really Shameful !

It is not surprising that they spoke on behalf of the Major Archbishop as mediators to implement the Pope’s directives mentioned in the standing circular of June 9. However, it is discrediting for the whole Catholic Church and the Syro-Malabar Church in particular that they reached a consensus against the Holy See with the rebel priests and AMT leaders like Mr. Jerard and Shyju Antony.
These individuals have openly challenged the Pope, the Holy See, and the Syro-Malabar Synod for years. They were behind the burning of effigies of the former Head and Father of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, and the former prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Congregations, Cardinal Sandri. They also led the attack, throwing bottles at the Papal Delegate, Archbishop Mar Cyril Vasil. In fact, the delegation sabotaged the Holy See’s directives.

Widespread Non-compliance of the Dissident Priests

More than 90% of the clergy have not celebrated the Holy Qurbana in the unified and licit form as mandated. In fewer than 75 churches out of the 321, some parish priests have celebrated one licit and unified Holy Qurbana.

This widespread non-compliance signifies a blatant rejection of the Major Archbishop’s directives of the June 9 official circular, the June 21 post-Synod Notice, July 1 st official Video Message and the ‘so-called consensus’ but invalid notice of July 1.

Many priests have scheduled the Unified Holy Qurbana at inconvenient and very odd hours, preventing the faithful from participating. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine the directive and avoid celebrating the licit Holy Qurbana.

In a shocking incident, Fr. Dr. George Nellissery, who was willing to celebrate the Holy Qurbana in the unified form, was locked down by the dissident Assistant Vicar and AMT goons in the early hours of the day. Such criminal behavior of the Assistant vicar with the help of AMT must be met with immediate suspension of that Assistant Priest.

In some parishes, the faithful’s legitimate right to the licit Holy Qurbana has been denied under the pretext of pending court cases. Why did the faithful approach the courts and file civil cases? It was for their constitutional right to the licit and unified Holy Qurbana. So why should the priests reject the licit Holy Qurbana for them? This is a tactic to abstain from celebrating the unified Qurbana and is a lame excuse. This is a gross misuse of legal proceedings to block religious rights and must be addressed urgently.

In several parishes, the AMT has resorted to physical violence and verbal abuse against the faithful who wanted to participate in the licit and unified Mass. Dissident parish priests have arranged for such activities while feigning innocence. This unacceptable behavior must be condemned, and the responsible priests must face strict consequences, including immediate suspension according to the June 9 circular.*

The Grave mistake

According to the June 9 circular and the Holy See directives, priests who do not celebrate the licit and unified Holy Qurbana from July 3, 2024, shall face canonical action prior to excommunication, and their priestly faculties will be suspended from July 4. This is because they will no longer be considered Catholic and will be out of communion with the Catholic Church. The circular directive applies to the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator as well. However, the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator have failed to follow their own circular and the Holy See directive. They are duty-bound to celebrate the Holy Qurbana for the faithful in the Cathedral on particular days of Obligation according to Canon law ( Canon 199 §1)
, which they have also neglected. This is a grave mistake and a truly regrettable situation.

Call for Immediate Action

Pope Francis has called for pastoral courage, a quality that must now be demonstrated by the Major Archbishop. The current situation calls for the immediate suspension of priests who have violated the circular directives. It is mandated in the June 9 circular as well as the official video message released by the Major Archbishop.

The Major Archbishop cannot backslide now. He should not be a hypocrite; rather, he must show the dignity of the Head and Father of the Syro-Malabar Church. It will be an indefensible and inexpiable action on the part of the Major Archbishop if he fails to take prompt and decisive action. This should have started on July 4, and it is already two days late. These priests, who agian disobeyed, have gone out of Catholic fellowship according to the June 9 circular, are still enjoying priestly facilities and faculties, which is quite unfortunate.

Such lukewarm approaches from the Major Archbishop, Mar Raphael Thattil will erode trust and further damage the reputation of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Catholic Church at large.