Ernakulam St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral locked temporarily after clashes erupt between two groups; Christmas mass cancelled

KOCHI: On the eve of Christmas, groups of priests and laity clashed with one another, in the name of holy communion at St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral in Ernakulam. The cathedral has now been locked temporarily. The midnight mass has also been cancelled. The cathedral is the main center of Syro Malabar Church’s Ernakulam Diocese.

The clash had begun on Friday and continued till yesterday afternoon and ended up in the attack inside the Basilica. A group, including women, entered the altar and threw away the holy communion book, bible, chalice, tabernacle, etc. When the priests were manhandled, the police removed people of both the sides from the church. In the evening, in meeting called by the ADM, it was decided to lock the church temporarily.

The Apostolic Administrator, Arch Bishop Andrews Thazhath reached the Basilica after the clash. But he was blocked by one group and was orally abused. Eleven priests, who support the holy communion facing the people, alleged that they were beaten by the opposite group and have been admitted to the hospital. The police have taken into custody Solomon, Jomon, and Biju for trying to attack.

On Friday evening, while performing the holy communion facing the congregation, Father Anthony Puthuveli reached the altar and performed the revised holy communion by facing away from the congregation. This worsened the situation. Even after the holy communion ended none of the groups were ready to leave.

Yesterday, during the 6 am holy communion, both the sides reached the church. Meanwhile, one group got on to the altar and threw away the holy communion items. They began to curse each other in the Basilica. When more people tried to enter the Basilica, the police intervened and forcefully evicted the priests and the devotees.