Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

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Left: Protesters burn a bishops’ circular in front of St. Mary’s Basilica, the cathedral of Ernakulam Archdicoese in India. Right: An elderly woman puts a burning circular into a bin in front of Vazhakkala, India, church.

Liturgical conflict resurfaces in troubled Indian Syro-Malabar archdiocese

Nov 15, 2024

By Anto Akkara

This month’s delayed priestly ordination of eight deacons of the Ernakulam Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church has highlighted continuing divisions. Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Syro-Malabar Church on May 13, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: The devil is threatening the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with division

May 13, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Pope Francis urged the faithful present at the Vatican’s Consistory Hall on Monday to “press forward” in obedience to the... Read more

A man tends to his goats in a village in Kerala, India.

Half a million Catholics in India petition government for better living conditions

Feb 6, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Christians make up about 20% of the local population in Kerala, with the Christian community there tracing its ancient roots... Read more

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, the new archbishop of the divided Syro-Malabar Church in India, has been well received by the faithful and civic leaders alike, but there is no sign that the differences over the liturgy that have split his Church are close to being resolved.

New leader of Syro-Malabar Church faces daunting task as dissenting priests remain defiant

Jan 31, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil has his work cut out for him as he seeks to carry out the Holy Father’s... Read more

The Vatican on Jan. 10, 2024, announced the confirmation of the election of a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India, Bishop Raphael Thattil.

Pope Francis confirms new head of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Jan 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has confirmed a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India. Read more

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts a Christmas gathering with Christian leaders, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai and Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto, at his residence in New Delhi on Dec. 25, 2023.

India’s Modi hosts Christian leaders for Christmas amid rising persecution

Dec 29, 2023

By Anto Akkara

“Christmas is an occasion to remember Jesus Christ’s life’s message and values,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, addressing Christian leaders. Read more

More than 4,000 faithful attended the celebration of the Christmas Mass at the St. George Parish in the suburb of Edappally, India.

Papal Christmas deadline over Syro-Malabar rift is met, but Indian archdiocese simmers

Dec 28, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Protests and disruptions to “unified” Masses mandated by the pope were observed around the archdiocese, but it remains if there... Read more

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India.

Dissenting priests in Syro-Malabar Church protest Pope Francis’ Christmas deadline 

Dec 20, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Tensions have risen in the Eastern Catholic Church in the Indian state of Kerala as the deadline approaches to implement... Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry preaches at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Ernakulam, India, on Palm Sunday 2021.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of head of Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Alencherry

Dec 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis on Thursday accepted the resignation of Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, based in... Read more

A St. Thomas Christian cross at the installation of Mar Joseph Srampickal at Preston North End stadium, England, on Oct. 9, 2016.

Pope Francis appoints delegate to resolve Syro-Malabar liturgical dispute in India

Aug 10, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The controversy centers on a complex debate about which direction the priest should face when celebrating the liturgy. Read more

A St. Thomas Christian cross at the installation of Mar Joseph Srampickal at Preston North End stadium, England, on Oct. 9, 2016.

Indian archbishop asked to resign over escalating liturgical dispute

Jul 26, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The dispute over the celebration of a unified liturgy in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has led to the resignation of... Read more

Pope Francis met with participants in the Syro-Malabar Youth Leaders Conference on June 18, 2022.

Pope Francis: The Virgin Mary teaches us ‘to live eucharistically’

Jun 18, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Blessed Virgin Mary never allowed herself to be “paralyzed by pride or fear,” the pope told young Catholics from... Read more

Pope Francis addresses bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at the Vatican on Oct. 3, 2019.

Pope Francis asks opponents of Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy to take ‘painful step’ of accepting change

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Protests against the change have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals. Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Catholic archdiocese deplores burning of cardinals’ effigies at Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy protest

Mar 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘The archdiocese completely condemns such unchristian protests,’ a spokesman said. Read more

A St. Thomas Christian cross at the installation of Mar Joseph Srampickal at Preston North End stadium, England, on Oct. 9, 2016.

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church leaders want a uniform liturgy. Why are they facing resistance?

Dec 8, 2021

By Luke Coppen

Pope Francis has intervened in the decades-long dispute. Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly

In India, Cardinal Alencherry again rejects allegations of illegal land deals

Oct 26, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Cardinal George Alencherry and his spokesman continue to reject claims of illegality in controversial land deals in the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese... Read more

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India.

India’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church to adopt ‘uniform’ liturgy

Aug 30, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The new liturgy being introduced within India's Syro-Malabar Church will require the celebrant to face the congregation and the tabernacle... Read more

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India.

Pope Francis urges Indian Catholics to commit to uniform Syro-Malabar liturgy

Jul 6, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches. Read more

Mar Joseph Srampickal is consecrated Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain at Preston North End stadium on Oct. 9, 2016. Photo

Britain’s first Syro-Malabar Catholic bishop: We are committed to the new evangelization

Dec 15, 2020

Four years after it was established, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain is expanding rapidly. Its bishop explains why.  Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry.

Alencherry will face trial over land deals, Indian court rules

Aug 29, 2019

By JD Flynn

An Indian court has ruled that Cardinal George Alencherry will stand trial in a case related to controversial land deals... Read more