INDIA Syro-Malabars to observe ‘uniform rite’ from 28 November

Despite strong opposition from some of the clergy and faithful, the Synod of Syro-Malabar bishops has chosen to move forward on the path of a uniform way of celebrating the Holy Qurbana, the Eucharistic liturgy of this Eastern rite. At the conclusion of their work last night, the archbishop-major of the Syro-Malabars, Cardinal George Alencherry, ‘in accordance with the unanimous decision of the Synod’ issued a decree establishing that from 28 November, the first Sunday of Advent, the ‘uniform’ rite will be adopted in all the eparchies. Thus during the first part of the celebration and in the liturgy of the Word, the priest will face the faithful, and then turn towards the altar (“in the direction in which the faithful also look”) during the central part, that of the consecration and the Eucharistic rites. Finally, in the concluding part, after communion, the celebrant will once again face towards the congregation. The solution adopted follows the indication that had already emerged in 1999 and was approved by the Congregation for Eastern Churches, but had met with strong resistance especially in those communities where the liturgy currently takes place with the celebrant facing the faithful during the entire rite.

INDIA Syro-Malabars to observe ‘uniform rite’ from 28 November