Archbishop Cyril Vasil, the pontifical delegate to the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, who left Kochi in the early hours of Friday after more than a week-long visit, ordered lay people and priests in the archdiocese to follow Pope Francis’ order on the way Mass should be celebrated.
The letter looks like the last word on a long-drawn controversy over Mass celebration, possibly paving the way for an end to the division within the archdiocese and the acrimonious relations between the vast majority of the clergy and lay people and the official hierarchy represented by the synod of bishops.
Apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur, in a separate circular, urged the clergy to celebrate the synod Mass on Christmas day. The December 23 circular said the papal delegate and he had had long talks with lay people and priests on Mass celebration, but the talks had not been conclusive.
