Kochi: The Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala is grappling with internal strife, marked by threats of violence against rebel priests who oppose the system of uniform mass.
Scores of priests in the diocese recently received ominous letters, threatening the severing of their hands unless they complied with the Church's prescribed mass practices.
The threatening letters, titled "2024 - Christmas Gift," were sent over three days, starting December 14, to priests who dissent from the Church's preference for the holy mass facing the altar. The letters, bearing a doodle of a chopped palm, warned of dire consequences during the Christmas season if the rebel priests did not conform.
The missives declared, "You who don't obey the Church, go get married and live by conducting holy mass facing people. Otherwise, in the wake of the centenary year celebration of the Syro-Malabar Church, believers have decided to chop off the arms of the rebel priests and bishops."
Several priests, alarmed by the seriousness of the threats, have filed individual police complaints and are now planning to file a joint complaint. They argue that this incident reflects a clear conspiracy rather than a random threat.
This internal conflict within the Syro-Malabar Church has deep historical roots, spanning over three decades, with differing opinions on the preferred manner of celebrating the Holy Mass.
A compromise was proposed in 1999, suggesting a dual approach—facing the people during the Liturgy of the Word and facing the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. However, recent developments, including the resignation of Cardinal Mar George Alenchery amid allegations of corruption, have added fuel to the fire.
Pope Francis, in a video message, urged the Church to implement a uniform mass code and cautioned against further confrontation, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The police are now investigating the threat letters, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue at hand.