Don’t become a sect, says Pope to Syro-Malabar faithful in Ernakulam

The Holy Father tells the faithful of the Syro-Malabar Archeparchy of Ernakulam to conform to the decisions of the Holy Synod or face the risk of being excommunicated and declared outside of the Church.

Pope Francis, in a video message, denounced the agitation surrounding the Liturgy and launched an appeal for unity.

The Syro-Malabar Church has some 4.25 million faithful, which makes it the second largest of the Eastern churches in union with Rome. 

Its primary see of the Syro-Malabar Church and home of the Major Archbishop is the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

The other dioceses in the Church accepted and received the Major Archeparchy despite its refusal to adhere to the Synod's decision regarding the Eucharistic liturgy.

The Holy Father stipulated that the opposition has nothing to do with the liturgy but that the reasons are worldly.

The Pope told the Syro-Malabar faithful that he has personally closely studied the issues and that he has written to them many times, but not everyone has read those letters, the Pope says he is now addressing the faith.

“In the name of the Lord, for the spiritual good of your Church, of our Church, I ask you to heal this rupture. It is your church; it is our Church. Re-establish communion; remain in the Catholic Church!" the Pope tells this time.

He called on priests to remember their ordination and the promises they made at the time, not to separate themselves from the Church, but to walk with the Synod, with their bishops, and with the Major archbishop by executing the liturgical decisions of the Synod this Christmas.

“Be careful that the devil does not lead you to transform yourselves into a sect,” said the Pope.

He appeals to them not to push “the competent ecclesiastic authority” to recognize they have left the Church because they are “no longer in communion” with their Pastors and with the Successor of St. Peter, the Pope. 

There will be sanctions, but the Pope said he does not want to reach that stage.  

Celebrate the Qurbana “in communion according to the directions of the Synod,” and commemorate the Major Archbishop in their liturgies, concluded Pope Francis in his message to the faithful of the Archeparchy, priests, and people.

“Please do not continue to wound the Body of Christ! Do not separate yourselves from it! And even though there have been some grievances against you, forgive them with generosity. May the Eucharist be the model of your unity. Do not shatter the Body of Christ which is the Church, so as not to eat and drink judgment upon yourselves,” said the Pope.  (MTV)