The Pontiff has intervened in the dispute several times, including last year when he asked opponents of the uniform liturgy to take the “difficult and painful step” of accepting the change. In August he appointed Slovak Archbishop Cyril Vasil’ to help resolve the ongoing disagreement.
In his letter to Bishop Thattil, signed on January 9, Pope Francis invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas the Apostle, the patron saint of India.
“I pray that, following the example of your venerated predecessors, you will strive to offer a generous and fruitful pastoral ministry to the flock now entrusted to your care,” Pope Francis said. And he concluded: “I also especially urge you to remember the poor and the most needy.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.