Syro-Malabar Synod May Take Up Liturgy Alteration; Laity Meet Today

Times of India ^ | 1/1/20

[marshmallow]

Kochi: The age-old debate over liturgy in Syro-Malabar Church has become active again with reports about the Synod of the Church, set to be held from January 7 to 15 here, having liturgy as an item in its agenda.

Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese has constituted a special liturgical committee and would hold a meeting at Kaloor Renewal Centre on Thursday to discuss the issue with the laity, sources said.

The issue pertains to the difference in conducting masses in dioceses under the Syro-Malabar Church (SMC). In Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese (and most other dioceses to the north of Ernakulam), the celebrant faces the laity during the mass.

However, Changanassery Archdiocese (and most dioceses to the south of Ernakulam) has the celebrant facing the altar during the service.

“What we understand now is that one among the detail in the agenda of the upcoming synod is to create a uniform liturgy. The text of the liturgy is the same for all under the SMC.

[Pontiac]

Changanassery Archdiocese have got it right.

The Mass is a sacrifice. The sacrifice is to God not the laity. God is on the alter not sitting in a pew.

Saying the Mass facing the laity makes no sense.

I, however, will not be taking any bets that Changanassery Archdiocese will win the argument.

Pope Francis will no doubt be throwing his weight behind the comedy of errors that was the Second Vatican Council.