A 20-year-old conflict over conducting Sunday Mass in Konkani within the Chikkamagaluru Catholic diocese has now moved into the legal domain. A local civil court has agreed to hear the case, dismissing objections from Bishop Anthony Swamy Thomasappa who claimed the matter falls solely under Church law.

The principal civil judge ruled that the issue pertains to constitutional rights, specifically the right to worship in one’s mother tongue, and cannot be confined to ecclesiastical authority under Canon Law.

The suit was filed by Sylvestar Saldanha, general secretary of Catholic Konkani Rakan Sanchalan, who argued that over 65% of the local Catholic population are native Konkani speakers. The current diocesan practice limits Mass to Kannada, Karnataka’s official language.

The bishop maintained that Canon Law grants him authority over liturgical matters and that civil courts should not intervene in internal Church affairs. In contrast, the lay group insisted that the Indian Constitution safeguards their linguistic and worship rights and that Canon Law does not prohibit vernacular usage.

The court, in its May 2 order (made public on May 12), recognized the importance of worship in a language that promotes understanding and spiritual participation.

A diocesan priest aligned with the lay group clarified that the request isn’t for liturgical reform but simply for Mass in Konkani, even at alternate time slots. He called it an easily manageable administrative decision.

Advocate V T Thomas, representing the bishop, said they are currently examining the ruling and will decide on future legal action.