Syro Malabar Catholic Church -Mar Thomma Nasrani Church

Parallel Eucharistic Celebration without having the permission and also frequent Liturgical abuses.

                   Bangalore:  Renewal Retreat Center Bangalore is one of the famous retreat centers in Bangalore. This Retreat center is run by CST fathers of Syro Malabar Church. As per the latest updates, the renewal retreat center is going to celebrate parallel Eucharistic Celebration without having the permission from the Highest Authorities. As per the Bangalore Arch Diocese, Renewal Retreat Center is a center is under the St Thomas Forane Church Darmaram. As per the officials, Renewal Retreat Center has no permission to do parallel Eucharistic Celebrations on Maundy Thursday. They are violating the rules of the Holy Catholic Church and Syro Malabar Church. Fr Thomas Kallukalam is the Dean of Bangalore Arch Diocese for Madiwala Deanery and he is also the Vicar of St Thomas Forane Church Darmaram. As per the officials, Fr Thomas Kallukalam has given clear instructions not to celebrate parallel Eucharistic Celebration on those days. 

The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church has abolished morning liturgical celebrations on Maundy Thursday. In the Latin Church it was never permitted. In the Syro-Malankara Church too, it is not permitted. Then also, according to the Flex board placed at the entrance of RRC, there will be Eucharistic Celebration with the washing of the feet at 6.25 AM and another Eucharistic Celebration at 5.15 PM. As per the RRC officials, both these celebrations will be in Syro-Malabar Rite. In no sacred place, the Eucharist is celebrated twice on Maundy Thursday in the same language and in the same Rite. However, when we see a Retreat Centre, which does not have a consecrated altar, celebrates the Triduum Sacrum, violating all liturgical norms.

St Thomas Forane Church has scheduled to have the Eucharistic Celebration together with the Washing of the Feet at 5.30 PM on Maundy Thursday. RRC is situated just less than 100 meters away from the parish church and a parallel celebration without the permission in the same Rite at RRC.

Devotees also noticed that there are improper celebrations and Liturgical Abuses happening in the Renewal Retreat Center. Renewal Retreat Center, gives more importance for Retreats and Adoration on Sundays. On a Sunday they start the Adoration by morning 9 AM and then end around 12 or sometimes 12.10. 

Few Liturgical abuses:

1.      

       Celebrate SM Qurbana using Latin Holy Vestments. This is an open insult to Both the Rites. Because Catholic Church has clear instructions about the Vestments. 

2.       Removing most of the prayers from the Qurbana and introducing own prayers. This is also banned by the Catholic Church.

3.       Screaming in between the Qurbana like Helellooya in between the Holy Qurbana. This is not allowed in any Rites of Catholic Church. Clapping in between the Qurbana like Pentecost. 

4.       Celebrating SM qurbana without Roohakshana Prayer, Swargasthanayaa Pithave, Karosoosa , prayers etc.

 

As per the Bangalore Arch Diocese officials, the permission letter given by the Archbishop, RRC is not entrusted by him to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. The permission letter simply permits RRC to have renewal retreats conducted. As per the Arch Diocese officials  "to see that the Divine Liturgy and the divine praises are celebrated according to the prescriptions of the liturgical books; that the decor and neatness of the churches and sacred furnishings are carefully maintained especially in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy..." When the respective Dean sees that the RRC celebrate the Divine Eucharist not according to the prescriptions of liturgical books and not in a sacred place or church, then it is his duty to intervene and give directives in this regard. If RRC finds any of his directives unacceptable, RRC has always the right to recourse: both simple as well as hierarchical recourse as given in CCEO cc. 996-1006 and CIC cc.1732-1739. 

The Syro Malabar Catholics in this region is totally upset due to this improper celebrations and illegal things happening in renewal retreat Center. Few parish members, from St Thomas furnace church are worried about this issue and they demanded to intervention of Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church and the Arch Bishop of Bangalore to stop these liturgical abuses.