Syro-Malabar Liturgical Dispute Resolved?
The agreement is currently awaiting Vatican approval. The rebellious clergy of Ernakulam-Angamaly would be allowed to preside at the entire Eucharist looking away from the Lord, but would have to celebrate a single liturgy in their parishes every Sunday in which they face God for at least the second part. This option is called the "uniform mode".
Prior to this agreement, five Syro-Malabar bishops objected to the threat to excommunicate those who didn't accept the uniform mode by 3 July, led by Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Faridabad in northern India.
The threat reminded the five bishops of the "Middle Ages". They noted that the ultimatum undermined the Synod of Bishops, especially since it was issued suddenly before a 14 June online meeting of the Synod of Bishops, the highest authority within the Syro-Malabar Church.
Francis had told Major Archbishop Thattil of Ernakulam-Angamaly in May that the Indian church should "resolve the issue in the synod".
It remains to be seen whether the clergy of Ernakulam-Angamaly will honour the agreement.
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