As Syro-Malabar Church Synod commences, CMI launches stinging attack on bishops over liturgical dispute

As the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church bagan at the church headquarters on Monday, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) , regarded as the largest clerical congregation under the Church has launched a stinging attack on the bishops, accusing them of defying the Pope’s order to implement the unified liturgy.

An article published in the latest edition of Karmmela Kusumam, an official publication of the CMI Congregation, criticised the bishops for the abrupt suspension of the special tribunal established in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

“Even those condemned to death are granted, by the judge, a final opportunity to speak before the verdict is carried out. But in stark contrast, you chose to suspend the functioning of the special tribunal in Ernakulam–Angamaly without the slightest sense of justice. No show-cause notices, no warnings were issued. What unfolded instead was sheer theatrics by first paralysing the tribunal without a second thought and then retracting the decision when it became clear that you had cornered yourselves,” the article said.

The publication also accused the bishops of turning their backs on `a large community of faithful in Ernakulam–Angamaly’ who demanded the Holy Mass in its rightful form.

“It is you, the bishops, who sowed the seeds of division and nurtured them until they grew within the Church. If you had truly resolved to implement the unified Mass, you could and should have done so with resolve, conviction and courage. It was not the faithful who demanded changes to the Qurbana. It was you who revised it, you who approved it unanimously and it is you who now stand divided,” it added.

Reacting to the publication, Almaya Munnettom, a lay forum from the Ernakulam–Angamaly Archdiocese, dismissed it as an attempt driven by vested interests.

“This publication, brought out by the Thiruvananthapuram Province of the CMI Congregation, is clearly intended to serve the interests of a priest who was part of the suspended tribunal. Neither the laity nor the prelate are concerned about anything mentioned in that article,” said Riju Kanjookaran, coordinator of the outfit.