Kochi, February 15 The Syro-Malabar Church has condemned protests against Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, who is currently administering the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, over the phased implementation of the unified Holy Mass.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Church spokesperson said that since it was not possible to implement the unified mode of celebrating the Holy Mass in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese immediately, the Synod had granted special permission to adopt it in a phased manner, prioritizing ecclesial communion.
The move to implement the unified Holy Mass across all dioceses of the Syro-Malabar Church, part of the Catholic Church, had been opposed by a section of the faithful and priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
Under the current arrangement, the unified Mass is being introduced only gradually in churches within the Archdiocese.
However, protests against the decision have continued, targeting Archbishop Pamplany. The Church said such actions have “crossed all limits of Christian love” and are highly deplorable.
According to the statement, the pastoral atmosphere in the Archdiocese had begun to calm after the phased implementation was announced.
It was at this point that a section of protesters occupied St Mary’s Basilica, Kochi, from December 10, 2025, staying there day and night and obstructing sacred rites.
The Church clarified that a circular issued on January 10, 2026, after the first session of the 34th Synod (January 6–10, 2026), had called upon all concerned to abandon protest methods unbecoming of the Christian spirit and follow the path of peace.
Despite this appeal, protesters continued to display defamatory images of Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and Archbishop Pamplany outside the basilica and on the walls of the Archbishop’s House and nearby areas.
“The other day, at the Kannur Press Club, a press conference raised baseless allegations against Archbishop Pamplany, and under the cover of night, his pictures were pasted on the wall of the Thalassery Archbishop’s House in an objectionable manner. This is extremely condemnable,” the statement said.
The Church added that by claiming Archbishop Pamplany is acting against the Pope and the Synod, the group is engaging in anti-Church activities. It noted that higher ecclesiastical mechanisms exist for lodging complaints and seeking remedies.
“But when it has not been possible to place Archbishop Pamplany before any of these channels, a planned character assassination is underway. No one who truly loves the Church can accept this,” the statement said.
The Church also highlighted that, in addition to his responsibilities as Archbishop of the Thalassery Archdiocese, Archbishop Pamplany is carrying the additional charge of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, as decided by the Holy Father and the Syro-Malabar Synod.
“We wish to make it clear that the entire Church stands with Archbishop Pamplany, who is sacrificially implementing Church decisions while enduring insults and humiliation. We urge everyone to abandon non-Christian protest methods, embrace reconciliation, and refrain from defaming Church institutions in public,” the statement added.
Separately, the Archdiocese of Thalassery condemned the actions of certain believers against Archbishop Pamplany, stating that those involved in personal attacks were not acting in the Church’s best interests and were straying from the path of Christ.
“All faithful under the Thalassery Archdiocese declare their support for Archbishop Pamplany and condemn all hate campaigns,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the One Church One Qurbana Movement, which demands the unified Holy Mass on Sundays, announced that protests against Archbishop Pamplany would continue.
The group alleged that the Archbishop, by aligning with the “rebel faction,” was weakening the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese and accused him of a “double face” approach—implementing decisions of those opposing the unified Mass while creating divisions within the Church.
The movement also demanded clarity on whether any changes had been made to earlier papal directives on the unified Mass and asked the Church leadership to make any such decisions public.
As part of their campaign, the movement announced that believers would stage a protest in front of the Archbishop’s House in Kochi on Monday, observed as Ash Monday, in demand of implementing the unified Holy Mass.
