Cardinal Alencherry resigns

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India.

Cardinal George Alencherry was the head of the Kerala-based Syro-Malabar Church, one of 23 eastern churches under Rome. His exit from the highest office of Kerala’s Catholic Church came in the wake of protests over introducing a uniform way of offering Mass and a dubious land deal.

In a letter addressed to his “Venerable Brother,” the Pope highlighted the Cardinal’s tireless commitment since his election in 2011 as “Father and Head of the Major Archepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly” of the Syro-Malabar Church in India.

Cardinal Alencherry announced his resignation in Kochi at a press conference. He cited poor health as a reason. On November 15, 2022, he had requested the Pope to be relieved from his post. The Pope accepted the resignation after a year.

Pope Francis has appointed Syro-Malabar Bishop Bosco Puthur as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Archeparchy.

Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, the second curia bishop of the Syro-Malabar Church will be the administrator in charge until a new Major Archbishop is elected.

The next head of the Church would be elected by the Synod of bishops in January.

(Picture Courtesy: Vatican News)