Syro Malabar Faithful

We, the faithful of Syro-Malabar Church, wish to express our strong denouncement of the legal petition filed by the Administrator, Bishop Bosco Puthur, dated 8 July 2024, to vacate the interim order of the Munsiff court, Ernakulam that mandates the celebration of the Synod Qurbana in our parishes. This petition is unfounded and goes against the very principles that have been set forth for the unity and sanctity of our liturgical practices. There is absolutely no reason to vacate the interim order. On the contrary, recent developments provide even stronger reasons to execute this directive diligently.
The faithful were compelled to approach the court because the church authorities were reluctant to execute the order they themselves had given to priests. This reluctance has caused confusion and division among the faithful, undermining the authority of the Church and the decisions of the Holy See. If the church authorities are not protecting our right of worship, it is the duty of the state and the court to protect and uphold our rights. The intervention of the court is essential to ensure that our rights to worship according to the directives of the Synod and Holy See are respected and implemented.
The Holy See, the Major Archbishop and the Administrator have consistently reiterated, through multiple circulars, the necessity of celebrating the Synod Qurbana in all parishes. According to the latest notifications (dated 21 June and 1 July) priests are required to celebrate at least one Synod Qurbana on Sundays and days of obligation: it has been clearly stated that disciplinary actions will be initiated against those priests who fail to comply with this directive.
However, the faithful have been instructed to attend only the Synod Qurbana. According to the Administrator’s circular of 9th June, any other celebrations other than Synod Qurbana are deemed illicit, and the faithful are prohibited from participating in them. Upholding the interim order of the Court ensures uniformity and coherence in our liturgical practices across all parishes. This unity is vital for the spiritual well-being of our community and aligns with the directives of the Holy See. Celebrating only the Synod Qurbana, as instructed, preserves the liturgical integrity and sanctity of our worship. It ensures that all celebrations are in line with the approved liturgical norms and traditions. By attending only the Synod Qurbana, the faithful help avoid any participation in illicit celebrations, thereby maintaining the sanctity of their worship and obedience to ecclesiastical directives.
It is important to highlight that the Administrator, who has now filed a petition to vacate the interim order, has consistently disregarded the court’s instructions. In light of this, we urge the Administrator to respect both secular and ecclesiastical authorities and take the necessary steps to implement the interim order by instructing all parish priests to celebrate only the Synod Qurbana in their parishes as mandated. We urge all priests and parish communities to fully comply with the interim order. The Holy See should continue to monitor the implementation of these directives and take necessary actions against any non-compliance to maintain discipline and order within our ecclesiastical framework. Let us work together to uphold the sanctity and unity of our liturgical practices, honoring the decisions of the Holy See and the Synod.