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CV NEWS FEED // A mob of Indian laity dragged an 82-year-old priest from the altar while he was celebrating Mass Feb. 1 in what is reportedly one of the latest incidents in a 50-year liturgical dispute in the Syro-Malabar rite.
The Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News reported that Father John Thottuppuram was offering Mass at St. Sebastian Church, Prasadagiri, facing the altar, which the outlet said is “the official Mass approved by the Church’s Synod,” when he was mobbed.
According to Indian news outlet Mathrubhumi, Fr. Thottuppuram was injured in the attack, and several others sustained injuries as well. Local police locked down the church after the incident.
Many within the parish oppose the official Mass and support Masses where priests face the congregation instead, which is reportedly the “traditional Mass.” According to UCA News, both supporters and opponents of the official Mass blamed each other for the attack on Fr. Thottuppuram and filed complaints with local police.
Father Antony Vadakkekara, the spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar Church, decried the incident as a “criminal act” as well as a “sacrilegious act committed on the altar, the most sacred place, during holy Mass.” He also called Fr. Thottuppuram the “administrator” of the parish.
However, a group that opposes the official Mass, the Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT), said that 164 of the parish’s 176 families refused to accept Fr. Thottuppuram as the parish administrator. Furthermore, according to the AMT, Fr. Thottuppuram provoked the attack by celebrating Mass at the parish in violation of a restraining order issued by a local court several months ago. The restraining order was issued at the request of the parishioners.
According to UCA News’ Feb. 3 article, Fr. Thottuppuram and a group of non-parishioners went to the church “last Sunday” and entered by force, then assaulted and locked up a priest, Fr. Jerin Palathingal. Indian news outlet Onmanorama reported that Fr. Palathingal is the former vicar. It is unclear whether the alleged incident occurred before or after the attack on Fr. Thottuppuram.
Onmanorama additionally reported that Fr. Palathingal had led the group of parishioners that dragged Fr. Thottuppuram from the altar. Police have reportedly taken four individuals into custody.
