Archbishop Antony Curielwho stepped down as the inspired administrator of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamali, in an open letter to the common people and the priests thanked him for his support.
Writing from the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Ashram at Pariyaram near Chalakudy, he said he had written the open letter in the wake of rumors spreading on social media.
He said that he had assumed the office of Metropolitan Vicar with the belief that the Synod of the Bishops would stand with him. He said that one of the major issues he faced was the damage done by the archdiocese in land deals. The issue of compensation of over ₹29 crore was being considered when the issue of Uniform Mass System came to the fore.
The archbishop said in his letter that the synod’s decision on the Uniform Mass gave rise to a new crisis-like situation. He also said that he was of the view that it was not the right time to introduce a uniform ecclesiastical system after a decision by the Synod of Bishops in August last year. He thanked all the members of the Archdiocese for their support.