The permanent synod of the Syro-Malabar Church will meet here on Friday to discuss the repercussions of the open revolt by around 250 priests against the reinstatement of Cardinal George Alencherry as the head of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
Jacob Manathodath, who was appointed as Apostolic Administrator following the controversies surrounding the land deals involving the Church, will not attend the synod as he is currently in Rome, according to a senior representative of the Church.
Jacob Manathodath, whose term as Apostolic Administrator ended after Cardinal Alencherry resumed office, was asked to continue to head the Palakkad diocese.
Four other members of the permanent synod that have confirmed participation include George Cardinal Alencherry, president of the permanent synod; Archbishop Andrews Thazhath; Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt; and Archbishop George Njaralakkatt.
Sources said that either Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam or Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, who figure among the substitute members of the permanent synod, will attend in place of Jacob Manathodath.
The meeting is likely to discuss the possible action to be taken against the priests who had come out in the open against Cardinal Alencherry after he was reinstated. They had also protested against the removal of two auxiliary bishops Sebastian Adayanthrath and Jose Puthenveettil.
It is learnt that those supporting Cardinal Alencherry had demanded action against the priests stating that they had violated the code of conduct by coming out against the Cardinal.
The priests who met here on Tuesday had pointed out that they would not cooperate with Cardinal Alencherry and his office as he had failed to discharge his duties honestly. The priests had also passed a resolution taking strong exception to the decision of Rome to reinstate Cardinal Alencherry as the head of the archdiocese. They also questioned why the Cardinal had taken charge after entering the archbishop’s house in the night.
The priests had urged the Oriental Congregation and the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church to inform the faithful about the findings of the commission that had probed the land dealings involving the Cardinal.
