Ernakulam–Angamaly was established as a Vicariate by the Bull Quae Rei Sacrae of Pope Leo XIII on 28 July 1896 and Mar Louis Pazheparambil was appointed as the first figure apostolic, who assumed charge on 5 November 1896.

The Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese caused a major controversy for the Syro-Malabar Church around the implementation of celebrating uniform mode of Holy Mass.

Despite Pope Francis's directives for unity and a deadline for resolution, conflicts persisted, leading to significant opposition[4] and actions[5] against Vatican-appointed Archbishop Cyril Vasil by the laity of the Arch Diocese.

Angamaly, an ancient residential See of the Bishop of St Thomas Christians and now a municipal town in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam, was also associated with the title of the Major Archbishop.

Mar Sebastian Adayantharath was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly by Pope John Paul II on 3 January 2002.

[8] Following protests from priests of the archdiocese, an acting administrator was named, who was eventually replaced by a permanent Archiepiscopal Vicar, Mar Antony Kariyil.

Wherever they found it possible to make use of the division among the Syriac Rite Catholics, they turned it around to suit their purpose and the different factions of Suriani Christians, knowingly or unknowingly, started pleading for Carmelites and for a separate vicariate under them.

When the separation of the Syriac Rite Catholics from the Latins became a reality, the Suddists began to send petitions to Rome in favour of the Carmelites.

Later Zaleski, the delegate apostolic reproached Valiaveetil declaring that an attempt for a third vicariate would be considered as an act of insubordination to the Holy See and that the first time he would cause an upheaval, he would certainly be suspended.

Although the schism was ended a large number of present Syro Malabarians in Shertallai taluk entered their community as Chaldeans in the census of Travancore held at 1901.

Lavigne planned a systematic development of the vicariate, building a college, a seminary, bishop's residence and schools and orphanages all of which required an enormous amount of money.

Mathew Makil, along with Nordist Varghese Valiaveettil (Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha) went to Ootty to meet Aiuti as representatives of the apostolic vicar of Varapuzha.

A petition of ten parish priests of the Suddist community dated 21 November 1887, requested the Pope to place them under Mellano or his coadjutor Marcellinos.

Thus though Mellano could not attain his objective, i.e., a special vicariate for the Suddists, his strategy proved to have a bad effect, the growth of a division among the Suriani Catholics.

Malayattoor, Kaanjoor, Koratty, Moozhikkulam, Muringoor, Angamaly, Alengad, Paravoor (Kottakkavu), Njarackal and Mangalapuzha (Aluva) were part of Thrissur Vicariate before the formation of Ernakulam Archdiocese.

The ancient port of Muziris, the earlier gateway to India for traders from Middle East is in the borders of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

Diamper (Udayamperoor), where the famous Synod convoked by Dom Menezes, Archbishop of Goa (1599) took place is in Ernakulam Archdiocese.

For a long period following the Synod of Diamper, both the Syro-Malabar Catholics and the Jacobites conducted their services in this Church in a cordial manner.

St. Mary's Forane Church Pallippuram is a Marian Pilgrim Center located in Cherthala, Alleppey district, Kerala.

The St. Mary's Syro Malabar Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam controversy reflects a deep-rooted conflict over liturgical practices, highlighting the Syro-Malabar Church's struggle between tradition and uniformity.

Adding to the origins of the dispute at St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam, Archbishop Mar Antony Kariyil's tenure and resignation[1] further exemplify the complexity of the issue.

Appointed against the backdrop of a revolt and favored locally over the Vatican's choice of Archbishop Mar George Alencherry (Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry faced criticism for his role in controversial land transactions[10][11][12], which reportedly led to significant financial losses for the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

The Basilica witnessed the dispute take a violent turn[2][15] on 28 November 2022 when Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, who was supposed to conduct the uniform mass as per prior assurance by then Archdiocese Metropolitan Vicar Mar Antony Kariyil (Kariyil had earlier agreed along with the priests[16] to move to uniform mode before December 25th, 2022 as per Pope Francis Directives communicated back in April 2022[17]), was blocked at the gates by the Vicars supporters (Athirupatha Samrakshana Samithi and Almaya Munnetta Samithi).

It was reopened by ArchBishop Cyril Vasil, appointed by the Vatican to address the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese dispute, on 16 August 2023 under heavy police protection and protests.

[3] On 17 August 2023, Archbishop Cyril Vasil, ordered all parishes to follow the uniform mass format, with non-compliance risking excommunication.

This directive came despite resistance in Ernakulam-Angamaly, where many, led by priests and groups such as Athirupatha Samrakshana Samithi (Arch Diocese Protection Group) and Almaya Munnetta Samithi, formed by former Vicar Mar Antony Kariyil (now retired [14]), protested against the order by burning[4] the Vatican special emissaries order.

By the time the directive was issued 2,902 out of the 3,224 Syro Malabar parishes across Kerala's 35 dioceses & 5 Archdioceses had already complied with the uniform mass format.

On 18 August 2023, Almaya Munnetta Samithi claiming to represent all parishioners from the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese and its 328 dioceses petitioned Indian President Droupadi Murmu,[5] seeking the deportation of Papal delegate Archbishop Cyril Vasil, citing interference in local church affairs.

The controversy has led to significant dissent and protests, including Vasil's forced entry into St Mary's Cathedral and the appointment of a new administrator, exacerbating tensions.

[18] Pope Francis set a Christmas deadline for the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese to resolve its liturgical dispute, emphasizing unity and warning against sectarianism.