The Syro-Malabar Church establishes special disciplinary tribunal in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamali

Archbishop Mar Raphael Tatier. |Image source: Special arrangement

The Syro-Malabar Church has set up a special tribunal at its nearby Mount St. Thomas headquarters to resolve disciplinary issues related to liturgical matters in the Ernakulam-Angamali Archdiocese.

The tribunal established on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) on the instructions of Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil will have the power to impose punishments on those accused of “ecclesiastical crimes”. The Archbishop has these rights under canon law. An official press release said the tribunal would have the power to take action against priests and laity in the archdiocese.

Despite the “validity” of this form of the Mass in November 2021, and the attempts by the Pope, the Apostolic Administrator and others to implement it, the archdiocese’s continued opposition to the unification of the Mass has led to the establishment of a special tribunal. Opposition led to divisions among believers and public humiliation.

Although such tribunals would normally be established at the archdiocesan headquarters, the current situation in the archdiocese precludes this. The court will have Fr. James Mathew Pambara, presiding judge, Fr. José Maratier and Fr. Joy Paliekkara served as judge, the release said.