Syro-Malabar dispute: Bishop Antony Kariyil resigns

Kochi: Bishop Antony Kariyil, Metropolitan Vicar of Ernakulam-Angamaly Diocese has resigned following the Syro Malabar Church dispute. The bishop handed over the letter, written in his own handwriting, to the Vatican ambassador. The announcement of the resignation will be made at the synod meeting in August. Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese is tipped to shift to administrative mode. The Vatican’s ambassador to India had come to Kochi to meet the bishop in person who was not ready to resign despite the letter. The meeting with the Vatican Ambassador and Bishop Antony Kiriyl was in the presence of Bishop Kuryan Mathtikandathil.
Last day, the Vatican sent a notice to Bishop Anthony Kariyil asking him to resign. The metropolitan vicar summoned him to Delhi and issued a notice asking him to resign. Bishop Antony Kariyil supported the priests who took a stand against the cardinal on occasions such as the land deal and the dispute over the unified mass offering. From the beginning Anthony Kariyil’s position was that he would not support the unification of the Eucharist. It was also stated that the public mass will continue in Ernakulam-Angamali Diocese. Cardinal Mar George Alencheri’s proposal to hold a renewed Mass cannot be implemented. The Pope granted complete indulgence. The bishop had sent a letter to the bishops of the Synod pointing out this. Mar George Alencheri had issued a circular with a strict instruction that all the bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church should offer a unified communion as per the decision of the Synod.
At the same time, the anti-cardinal lay organization has given a warning that if the bishop is removed from his position by using his authority, a strong protest will be started. The anti-cardinal lay organization has criticized that the Vatican ambassador is trying to save Cardinal Alencheri from the land scam case by suppressing the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese.