Kerala Catholic Priests on Protest Forcefully Removed by Police

Kochi — Police forcibly removed 21 protesting priests from near the bishop’s house in Angamaly on Saturday, escalating tensions surrounding the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The priests were demanding the reinstatement of four suspended priests and the withdrawal of controversial documents issued by the diocesan administration.

The priests had been protesting outside the bishop’s house for three days, objecting to decisions made regarding the celebration of the liturgy. The situation escalated when police intervened to disperse the protesters, leading to chaotic scenes where several priests were physically carried away by officers. A large crowd of laity gathered in support of the priests, further intensifying the confrontation. Attempts to force open the gates of the bishop’s house resulted in verbal altercations that briefly turned violent.

Although the immediate conflict subsided, tensions remain high. Supporters of the removed priests said they are refusing bail and are prepared to be jailed in protest. A conciliation meeting is being organized between representatives of the protesters, church officials, and Ernakulam district authorities in an attempt to defuse the situation. Reports suggest that Bishop Bosco Puthur, the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, may be replaced as part of an effort to restore peace.

The dispute at the heart of the controversy centers around the celebration of the liturgy, specifically the direction priests face during different parts of the Mass. This dispute began in 2021 when the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church implemented a uniform liturgy. While most dioceses have adopted a uniform practice of priests facing the congregation during the Liturgy of the Word and the altar during the Eucharistic prayers, the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, the largest Syro-Malabar jurisdiction, has resisted this change. Clergy and laity in the archdiocese argue that facing the congregation throughout the Mass is more in line with the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

This dispute is the latest in a series of similar disagreements within the Syro-Malabar Church over the past few years, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing tradition and reform within the church.