Angry liturgical dispute divides India's Syro-Malabar Catholics (Pillar)

Luke Coppen of The Pillar introduces readers to the fiery liturgical dispute within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

The Syro-Malabar Church, based mostly in India, is one of the largest (if not the largest) of the Eastern churches in union with Rome. It boasts a venerable history, tracing its roots back to the Apostle Thomas, and over 4 million faithful.

But since Vatican II the Syro-Malabar Church has been embroiled in liturgical debates, which have now grown so heated that bishops and clerics are at odds, and angry lay activists have burned effigies of both the leading Syro-Malabar prelate, CArdinal George Alencherry; and the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.

A fascinating story...