Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil.
In a significant move, the Syro-Malabar Church has established a specialized tribunal at its Mount St. Thomas headquarters to handle disciplinary issues concerning liturgical matters within the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
Announced on December 18, 2024, this tribunal operates under the authority of Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, who has been empowered by Canon law to impose penalties for ‘ecclesiastical offenses’. It is authorized to take action against both clergy and laity within the archdiocese, according to an official statement.
The formation of this tribunal comes in response to ongoing dissent regarding the unified mass practice that was implemented in November 2021, despite efforts from the Pope, the Apostolic Administrator, and other Church leaders to promote acceptance. This resistance has resulted in divisions among the faithful and has attracted adverse public attention.
While similar tribunals are typically set up at archdiocesan headquarters, its establishment faced delays due to the current challenges within the archdiocese. The tribunal will be led by Fr. James Mathew Pambara as the presiding judge, assisted by judges Fr. Jose Marattil and Fr. Joy Paliekkara, as detailed in the release.
Published – December 20, 2024 02:04 pm IST
