Thattil’s video message creates confusion among priests and laity

Even as a joint statement by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and Apostolic Administrator Bosco Puthur on the conciliation formula in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church was ready, a video message by the Major Archbishop had become public early on Tuesday, creating confusion.

In it, he had ordered that the unified Mass approved by the synod be celebrated in all churches in the archdiocese starting July 3, the Syro-Malabar Church Day/St. Thomas Day. Seeking full cooperation in this regard, he had said that priests who disregarded this decision would “face disciplinary action” based on the rules governing the Church. While expressing the hope that no one would leave the Church, he also warned members of the Church and asked them to be vigilant against “attempts to leave the Church and become an independent Church under the authority of the Pope.”

Shortly after, the executive committee of the Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT) held discussions with the major archbishop, who affirmed that the circular regarding conciliation and verbal assurances would prevail. It appears that the video that had been prepared earlier as instructed by the synod was unintentionally made public, said the AMT, which is a forum of priests and laity.