The Church leadership’s relentless attempts to ensnare eight deacons from the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly in legal disputes, under the guise of enforcing a uniform way of celebrating the Holy Mass, are unprecedented. The controversial 50:50 formula for the Holy Qurbana, quietly introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown, is now being forced upon these deacons. As they cry out in distress, the Church’s reputation is taking a painful hit.
These deacons have journeyed for eleven long years–years filled with dedication, training, prayer, and the hope of serving God and His people. Supported by their families, friends, and communities, they have endured rigorous study, self-discipline, and spiritual reflection. But just as they stand on the threshold of realizing their sacred calling, the Qurbana controversy strikes like lightning, throwing them into legal turmoil. Their hearts are heavy, their spirits broken. And their pain is shared by their families, friends, and parishes.
The demand that these deacons offer only the Synodal Qurbana post-ordination threatens to deepen the already severe pastoral crisis in the archdiocese–a fact well-known to those in authority. By turning ordination into a bargaining chip, the Church risks fracturing itself further. The stories of those who tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s anointing serve as not just biblical warnings, but real-world lessons for today. Those trying to exploit this crisis for gain must remember the consequences. As the archdiocese teeters on the brink, so too does the Syro-Malabar Church. How can this impending collapse still go unseen?
Twice, with the blessing of Church leaders, efforts were made to resolve the crisis through dialogue. Twice, these attempts were tragically sabotaged. How have those responsible not yet recognised the anti-Christian nature of their actions?
“Do you want truth or tranquillity?” This is the question that has defined the spiritual battle within the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly for over seven years. The key to why Ernakulam stands apart from the other 35 dioceses lies in this very question.
When Church leaders downplayed the land disputes, dismissing them with, “Is it really such a big deal? Doesn’t everyone make adjustments?” they missed the deeper issue. The archdiocese sought its answers in the Gospel, and in choosing truth over comfort, they paid a heavy price.
When the faithful finally declared, “We want truth, not tranquillity,” they were branded disobedient and harshly punished. Yet the entire community rallied behind them, united in the conviction that their archdiocese stood on the side of Christ.
After years of prayer and waiting, these deacons are ready for ordination. In a time when priestly vocations are dwindling, Church leaders must not reduce the sacred order of priestly ordination to mere bargaining. With another group of 16 candidates preparing for ordination, it is time to show compassion and justice for the eight who have waited nearly one year. Dragging out this crisis is neither pastoral nor just.
In a world torn apart by wars, even the laws of war dictate that the vulnerable should be spared and the wounded not further harmed. The time has come to let those who have endured years of hardship finally find peace, instead of pulling them into deeper suffering.
It is tragic that sacred rites–first the Holy Qurbana, now the Ordination–have been turned into tools of division.