After more than 1,100 days of closure, daily Mass has finally resumed at St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral, Ernakulam, marking a significant step toward healing long-standing liturgical tensions within the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
The reopening on December 1, 2025, came after directives from Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, the archdiocese’s episcopal vicar, along with a formal no-objection order from the Kerala Court, allowing religious services to resume.
Reopening Seen as a Turning Point
Speaking to Matters India, Riju Kanjookaran, spokesperson for Almaya Munnettam, the laity group advocating for traditional liturgical practices, described the reopening as the beginning of an “era of peace and compromise” after years of conflict.
He explained that:
- Regular Masses will follow the people-facing tradition practiced since the Second Vatican Council.
- One Mass on Sundays and feast days will follow the Synodal liturgical style mandated by the Syro-Malabar Synod.
The first Mass after the reopening was celebrated at 6 p.m., with the celebrant facing the congregation.
Archbishop Celebrates Birthday Mass in Synodal Style
On December 3, Archbishop Pamplany marked his birthday by celebrating a private Synodal-style Mass in the basilica, attended by archdiocesan officials and the cathedral staff.
Other Churches Still Await Reopening
According to Kanjookaran, two more key churches remain closed:
- The historic Udayamperoor Church
- St. Thomas Church, Nedumbrakkad, in Cherthala
He expressed hope that these, too, would soon reopen for Mass.
Dual Liturgical Practices to Continue
Under current directives:
- All churches in the archdiocese will celebrate people-facing Mass daily.
- On Sundays and feast days, one Synodal Mass will be conducted as required by the Syro-Malabar Synod.
An earlier letter dated October 25, signed by Archbishop Pamplany, instructed the basilica administrator, Father Thomas Mangattu, to ensure daily Masses were held in preparation for Christmas.
Legal Disputes Nearing Resolution
Kanjookaran noted that of the 58 litigation cases related to liturgical disputes pending before the High Court, most have now been resolved. Only eight cases remain, and he believes they can be settled peacefully with cooperation from all sides.
Ordination Scheduled for December 27
The archdiocese will ordain new deacons as priests on December 27 at the basilica, using the Synodal format. However, once assigned to parishes, they will be permitted to celebrate Mass facing the people.
A previous agreement from June 25 allows priests in the archeparchy to continue offering Mass in the people-facing orientation.
