JUDGMENT

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These three writ petitions are based on same set of facts and involve common questions of law. Hence, they are heard together and being disposed of by a common judgment.

2. The petitioner in W.P.(C) No.39181 of 2022 and his family members are Parishioners of the 7th respondent- St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of Archdiocese of Ernakulam- Angamaly. The petitioner states that he is bound to attend the Mass as prescribed by the Holy See and the 6th respondent Synod of Major Archiepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly. The petitioner states that the 5th respondent is the Apostolic Administrator of the 4th respondent Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly appointed by the Roman Pontiff and he has issued a Ext.P1 Circular dated 30.09.2022. The 5th respondent on 20.11.2022 declared that from 27.11.2022, the Unified Synodal Mass, as directed by Ext.P1 Circular will be celebrated in the Church at 6 a.m.

3. When the petitioner along with his wife reached the Church by 5.30 a.m., the gates of the Church were locked and the members of the 9th respondent, who had assembled inside the Church and its premises, obstructed the petitioner. One among the miscreants threw a bottl