Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 25 (BPNS)
The St Mary’s cathedral basilica of the Syrian Catholic church of the Ernakulam Angamaly archdiocese wore a deserted look on Christmas eve and on Christmas day. There were no celebrations as two groups in the archdiocese decided that there would not be any mass in the basilica till the quarrel between them ends.
It may be noted that there were fisticuffs and fights between the two groups on Friday and Saturday. This was following a group of priests and laity wanting to conduct the holy mass by the priest facing the mass instead of the altar as directed by the Cardinal.
The fisticuffs ended with several people including priests getting injured and admitted to hospitals. The basilica is not closed but the two warring groups decided that no holy mass would be conducted until a consensus arrives.
The laity and priests supporting the mass facing the believers said that the altar of the basilica must be reconsecrated for the Holy Mass to be conducted there again and that the fight between the two groups had led to even upturning of the altar.
It may be noted that a letter has already been shot off to Rome for intervention in the matter.
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