Kerala: Archbishop Andrews Thazhath appointed administrator of Ernakulam archdiocese

Thazhath is currently the archbishop of Thrissur archdiocese.

Andrews Thazhath is currently the archbishop of the Thrissur archdiocese. (Image: Wikipedia)

The Vatican on Saturday appointed Archbishop Andrews Thazhath as the administrator of Ernakulam archdiocese under Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, where incumbent Antony Kariyil was shown the door over raising rebellion against Church head Cardinal George Alencherry.

Thazhath is currently the archbishop of Thrissur archdiocese. He will hold the additional charge as the administrator of Ernakulam archdiocese, and have all powers of an archbishop at Ernakulam, said an official communication from Church curia in Kochi.

Kerala Church | Old lobbies and new row over the way Mass is offered

However, the communication did not mention about the fate of 72-year-old Kariyil, who has three more years to superannuate. Kariyil was forced to quit after the Vatican asked him to step down alleging he failed to implement the uniformed method of offering Mass in Ernakulam.

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The uniformed method of Mass was introduced in the Church in December 2021, but Ernakulam defied the directive from the Cardinal. Kariyil stood with the sentiments of a major chunk of priests and a section of laity in the arch-diocese, where the Cardinal has been a persona non grata.

Reacting to the appointment of a new administrator, Archdiocese protection committee spokesman Fr Jose Vailikodathu said “ As Catholic priests we have no option but to obey the Pope. But we understand that Pope Francis was misled by the Church synod. If things are handled in such an arrogant manner, without hearing the priests and the laity, this would lead to widening of the chasm between the bishops and priests,” he said.

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