Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Head of Kerala’s Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Steps Down

By Verghese V Joseph.

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry on Thursday resigned as the Major Archbishop and head of the Kerala’s Syro Malabar Catholic (Syrian Catholic) church. However, he will continue as Cardinal.

Cardinal Alencherry announced his resignation in Kochi at a press conference on Thursday. On November 15, 2022, he had requested the Pope to relieve him from his post. Pope Francis on Thursday accepted his request for his stepping down considering his health condition and increasing requirements of pastoral care.

Along with Cardinal Alencherry, the apostolic administrator of Ernakulam Angamaly Archbishop Andrews Thazhath’s request to step down too has been considered by the Pope.

Bishop Bosco Puthur, who retired as Melbourne bishop, will take charge as the administrator of the archdiocese until a new Major Archbishop is elected by the synod early next year.

Cardinal Alencherry said he was thankful to all who helped to “make his services easier in keeping with God’s plans.” He had taken charge as head of the Syro-Malabar Church on May 29, 2011.

Bishop Mar Sebastian Vaniapurackal, the second curia bishop of Syro-Malabar Church, will be 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.

Cardinal Alencherry was the head of the Kerala-based Syro-Malabar, one of the 23 eastern churches under Rome. His exit from the highest office of Kerala’s Catholic Church comes in the wake of protests over introducing a uniform way of offering Mass and was embroiled in controversies over alleged irregularities in the sale of properties belonging to Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

Alencherry, who was elected as the Cardinal from among the bishops in 2011, was forced to quit as the archbishop of the archdiocese of Ernakulam in 2019.

Pope’s letter to Cardinal Alencherry

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.

The Holy Father wished Cardinal Alencherry well, “As you celebrated last year your fiftieth anniversary of priestly ordination and twenty-fifth anniversary as a Bishop, I was pleased to join you in giving thanks to the Lord, expressing as well my gratitude for the dedication shown over the course of those years by your many pastoral and educational efforts and initiatives. In particular, since 2011, the year of your election as Father and Head of the Major Archepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly, the signs of your zeal and generosity were numerous, as you labored unceasingly for the achievement of various important milestones in the life of this Particular Church.”

“In this regard, I think of the recognition of the All-India jurisdiction, the establishment of the offices of the Procurator in Rome and the erection of Eparchies in Australia, Canada and Great Britain. It is also encouraging that various provisions for the pastoral care of the faithful in the Arabian Peninsula are under serious consideration. You have attended to all this without neglecting the ordinary path of the Church, in considering, together with the Synod, pastoral care in catechesis and the liturgy, formation of the clergy and accompaniment of young people, especially in the diaspora, while not forgetting to give attention and service to the poor and those most in need.”

The pontiff continued, “The year 2022 witnessed another important event in the life of the Saint Thomas Christians as well as in the universal Church: the 1,950th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Apostle who, according to tradition, brought the proclamation of the Gospel to India. There, as a martyr, he conformed himself totally to his Lord and God (cf. Jn 20:28) through the supreme sacrifice of his life. Guided by this example of Saint Thomas, and out of love for the risen Lord and his Church of him, in 2019 you offered to step away from the pastoral governance of the beloved Syro-Malabar Church when faced with divisions and protests. Yet at that time, the Apostolic See accepted the judgment of the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops, which did not consider it the suitable moment. The Synod, however, could not fail to recognize in your request the heart of a Pastor who sets the unity and mission of the Church above everything else.”

“Now that you have reached two significant jubilees and accomplished the pastoral objectives set for the flock entrusted to your care, I consider your promise not as the conclusion, but the fulfillment of your service. Indeed, this step represents a further witness of fidelity to the Gospel and a new way of serving the Church, above all through contemplative and intercessory prayer, as well as by continuing to offer your counsel to the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia of which you are to member,” the Holy Father added.

“In light of these considerations, together with the occurrence of the centenary of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy, and always mindful of the good and unity of the People of God, I have decided to accept your resignation as a sign of your openness and docility to the Holy Spirit. Invoking the intercession of Saint Thomas the Apostle and assuring you of my prayers, I impart my blessing to you and to the whole Major Archepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly,” the Pope added.