Congregation-facing Mass resumes at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Kochi
St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Kochi has resumed congregation-facing Mass after a four-year dispute within the Syro-Malabar Church. A consensus between the clergy and laity has led to a compromise on liturgical practices and the withdrawal of related litigation.
Why it matters
The resolution marks a significant step in ending a long-standing internal religious conflict that had divided the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
The observance of Holy Mass was held on Sunday morning (August 30, 2026) at the St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Keralam’s Kochi after a gap of four years, with the priest facing members of the congregation.
A sizeable share of priests and laity members of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese had been demanding this mode of Mass, while opposing the Unified Mass that the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church had been insisting on.
The Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT), which had been demanding the congregation-facing mass, said in a release on Sunday (August 30, 2026) that a consensus had been reached on the matter and that the Sunday service was held accordingly.
A communication shared by the AMT —dated 22 August and bearing the sign of Fr. Thomas Mangattu, Administrator of the Cathedral Basilica— said that a Unified Mass will be held on Sundays at 5 p.m.
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