An archbishop of Eastern Rite Syro-Malabar Church has resigned following the Vatican’s directions after he was accused of defying the Church’s supreme synod in the decades-long liturgical dispute.
Archbishop Antony Kariyil, the vicar of the major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese in southern Kerala state, expressed willingness to resign on July 26, six days after he was summoned to the Vatican nunciature in New Delhi.
The nuncio issued a letter asking him to immediately tender his resignation, said archdiocesan officials from the eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church.
Archbishop Kariyil initially refused as no valid reason was cited for his resignation. However, officials added that he handed over a letter to the nuncio seeking to apprise Pope Francis about the developments.