Priests delegation seeks status quo on Mass

It also seeks to take up issue with Rome

A delegation representing more than 500 priests belonging, among others, to the Ernakulam-Angamaly and Thrissur archdioceses and the Irinjalakuda diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church has appealed to the church hierarchy to maintain status quo with regard to the celebration of the Mass. The group of priests said archdiocesan administrator Archbishop Antony Kariyil assured them on Saturday that, in consultation with the bishops, the decision to implement a uniform code for the Mass by the synod earlier this week would be re-examined and that a delegation would represent the demand before Pope Francis in Rome. The recent synod had decided that part of the Mass would be celebrated with the priest or celebrant facing the people and another part would be celebrated with the priest facing the tabernacle.