Latti, clergy ‘banned’ from taking part in anti-church protests

The Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church has officially banned laypersons, and clergy, from attending what Church Communications described as “anti-church” protest meetings.

According to Joshi Puthuwa, Public Relations Officer of the Code of Conduct, those who organized the protest meeting opposed the action of Apostolic Administrator Bosco Puthur to instill discipline in the church. However, the rebel group staged protest meetings in Tripunithura, Palarivattam and Matha Nagar areas causing misunderstandings.

The archbishop said the protest meetings and masses held during their time violated church directives.

Meanwhile, a rebel group led by lay people’s organization Alamaya Munnettam has called for a boycott of the order to transfer clerics from Palarivattam, Matha Nagar, Thripunithura and St. Mary’s Basilica churches.

They also staged a protest at St. Martin de Porres Church, Palarivattam, reiterating their claim that they would not accept the newly formed Archdiocesan Curia and would only accept full mass.

They had earlier accused of trying to attack the priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church, Father Varghese Manavlan. Almaya Munnettam spokesperson Riju Kanjukaran claimed that the group’s attempt to break into the basilica’s office was foiled by local members.