Kochi: Refusing to implement the uniform mode of Holy Mass, a section of priests laid siege to Thrissur Bishop Mar Andrews Thazhath.
Police were camping in the area to maintain law and order. The controversy over adopting the new system had been brewing for the past few months with the Vatican setting the deadline to implement it from November 28 marking the beginning of the liturgical year.
Ratified by the Synod, the new format of conducting Holy Mass had become a bone of contention in the Syro Malabar Church with the Metropolitan Vicar granting permission to adopt the new format as per the preference of the Cathedrals, Parishes and Pilgrimage centres.
The division in the church on the issue had caused embarrassment in the hierarchy after Synod secretary Mar Antony Kariyil secured relief from the Vatican. This was a major blow to those siding with the official faction favouring the Vatican stand.
There are two types of Holy Mass practiced in different dioceses. The priests conducting the Mass facing the laity is practiced under Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese.
The second one of priests facing the Altar during the Holy Mass is practised by dioceses under Changanassery Archdiocese.
The new one refers to a practice of the priest facing the laity for half of the time and the Altar rest of the time which is called 50:50 mode.
The churches have been following their practices since 1968. Attempts were made to introduce the 50:50 mode in 1999 when due to opposition from within the Syro Malabar it could not be implemented then.
The Vatican wants the new format to be implemented fully by Easter 2022.
