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The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Varghese Chakkalakal installed as Kozhikode Archbishop
The Calicut Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church was elevated to the status of an archdiocese, and Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal was installed as its first Metropolitan Archbishop at a solemn religious congregation witnessed by hundreds of faithful on Sunday (May 25). The official order installing him as archbishop was read out at a formal event hosted on the compound of St. Joseph's Church in Kozhikode in the evening. Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli led the ritualistic archdiocesan proclamation ceremony and solemn Mass which began at 3 p.m. Bishops from various dioceses, priests, and laymen were present to witness the major ecclesiastical event. The dignitaries from various dioceses invited to be part of the ceremonies included president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop Thomas J. Netto from Thiruvananthapuram, Mar Joseph Pamplany from Thalassery, Bishop Alex Vadakumthala from Kannur. Public Works Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas, M.K. Raghavan, MP, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph, former Minister M.K. Muneer and Mayor Beena Philip were also among those who extended their greetings on the occasion. It was on April 12, 2025, that the official order on the elevation of the Calicut diocese to archdiocese came from Rome. Expressing delight over the elevation, Archbishop Chakkalakkal had described it as an Easter gift from Pope Francis. The installation ceremony was postponed for over a month following the departure of the Pope on April 21. Archbishop Chakkalakal was elevated to the post considering his decades of pastoral experience. He was ordained a priest in 1981 and became the first Bishop of Kannur diocese in 1998. He took charge as the Bishop of Calicut diocese in 2012. He served as secretary general of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. Chakkalakkal was also instrumental in the planning and implementation of several charitable activities for the poor. A diocesan communication said the ecclesiastical and social outreach efforts in the Malabar region would gain greater strength and wider reach with the formation of the new archdiocese encompassing Kozhikode, Kannur and Sultanpet.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Elevation of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calicut on May 25
The formal elevation of the Diocese of Calicut to the status of Metropolitan Archdiocese and the installation of Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal as the first Metropolitan Archbishop will be held at St. Joseph's Church here at 3 p.m. on May 25. Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Leopoldo Girelli will officiate the Eucharistic celebration. Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council president Baselios Cardinal Cleemis will deliver the homily on the occasion, a press release said. Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Conference of Catholic Bishops of India president Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Mar Raphael Thattil, Archbishop of Hyderabad Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal George Alencherry, Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly Joseph Kalathiparambil, Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur and Catholic Bishops' Conference of India president Mar Andrews Thazhath, and Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Thomas J. Netto will offer felicitations. The Calicut Diocese was elevated to Archdiocese, and Bishop Chakkalakal was named Archbishop following the papal decree announced on April 12. Kozhikode will become the third Latin Catholic archdiocese in Kerala, joining Varapuzha and Thiruvananthapuram. The Archdiocese of Calicut will have Kannur and Sultanpet as its suffragan dioceses.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Udupi Diocese churches offer special prayers for Indian armed forces
Udupi: Following the directive of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the Catholic community of Udupi Diocese offered special prayers on Sunday for the safety and success of the Indian armed forces partaking in Operation Sindoor . During the Sunday Mass, priests in every church offered special prayers through the Holy Eucharist and Adoration for the soldiers' safety and protection. Diocese Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo led a special prayer at St Joseph's Church in Belman, Karkala the congregation, Bishop Lobo highlighted the significance of the feast of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He noted the recent appointment of Pope Leo XIV as the spiritual leader of the Christian community and emphasised the Pope's call for global peace. The bishop urged the faithful to support the soldiers who risk their lives to protect the nation and to pray for peace, especially in the face of looming threats along the India-Pakistan border .The pope's message stressed the need for dialogue and building bridges to achieve lasting peace. Bishop Lobo encouraged the congregation to stand in solidarity with the soldiers and to instil confidence and courage in them through prayers and support. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Indians who could be Pope
The Vatican on Monday (April 21, 2025) announced the death of Pope Francis, and began the nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. Pope Francis death LIVE updates The papacy has been declared empty and the church entered a period called the 'sede vacante'. This period prevails until the College of Cardinals — a body that comprises all Cardinals of the Catholic Church — convenes in the Sistine Chapel for a closed-door 'Conclave' to appoint the new leader of the Catholic church, which has over a billion followers worldwide. The Conclave ends with the selection of the new Pope, the period until which the Cardinals will remain in the Vatican having no communication with the outside world. According to the Vatican, the College of Cardinals currently has 252 Cardinals, of whom only 138 get to vote in the Conclave as Cardinals above 80 years are not eligible to vote. There are currently six Cardinals from India, of whom five are eligible to vote in the Conclave. Here is a look at the Cardinals from India: Cardinal Baselios Cleemis: Born in 1960 in Kerala, he is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum for Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in June 1986. Between 2014 and 2018, he also served as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). Pope Benedict XVI appointed Card. Cleemis to the College of Cardinals in 2012. Card. Cleemis was also among the 117 Cardinal electors to vote in the 2013 Conclave to elect Pope Francis after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. In 2024, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the C. Kesavan award for 2023 Card. Cleemis for his work towards the 'betterment of the life of the poor'. Born in 1960 in Kerala, he is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum for Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in June 1986. Between 2014 and 2018, he also served as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). Pope Benedict XVI appointed Card. Cleemis to the College of Cardinals in 2012. Card. Cleemis was also among the 117 Cardinal electors to vote in the 2013 Conclave to elect Pope Francis after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. In 2024, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the C. Kesavan award for 2023 Card. Cleemis for his work towards the 'betterment of the life of the poor'. Cardinal Oswald Gracias: He was born in 1944 in Mahim, Mumbai. According to data from the Holy See's press office, Card. Gracias served as the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) from 2005 to 2011 and as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) between 2010 and 2014. He was also elevated as a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 and was one among the Cardinal Electors in 2013. However, Card. Gracias is above 80 years of age and will no longer be among the electors. He was born in 1944 in Mahim, Mumbai. According to data from the Holy See's press office, Card. Gracias served as the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) from 2005 to 2011 and as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) between 2010 and 2014. He was also elevated as a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 and was one among the Cardinal Electors in 2013. However, Card. Gracias is above 80 years of age and will no longer be among the electors. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao: He is the current Archbishop of Goa and Daman and was born in 1953 in Aldona, Goa. Pope Francis proclaimed him a cardinal in 2022. He is also the current president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and is also the bishop of the Santa Maria in Via. He is the current Archbishop of Goa and Daman and was born in 1953 in Aldona, Goa. Pope Francis proclaimed him a cardinal in 2022. He is also the current president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and is also the bishop of the Santa Maria in Via. Cardinal George Koovakad: He was born in Kerala in 1973. He was also appointed as a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024. During his elevation, several people flocked to the Lord's Matha Church in Mammoodu, the Cardinal's home parish in Kottayam, Kerala, to mark the occasion. He has also worked at the Vatican's Secreatariat of State and in 2021, he was also charged with organisation of the Pope's journeys. He was born in Kerala in 1973. He was also appointed as a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024. During his elevation, several people flocked to the Lord's Matha Church in Mammoodu, the Cardinal's home parish in Kottayam, Kerala, to mark the occasion. He has also worked at the Vatican's Secreatariat of State and in 2021, he was also charged with organisation of the Pope's journeys. Cardinal George Alencherry: Born in 1945 in Kerala, Card. Alencherry is the Major Archbishop emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He was appointed as a Cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was also appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese of Thuckalay when Pope John Paul II established it in 1996. He was also among the cardinal electors in 2013. In 2023, Card. Alencherry stepped down as the head of the Syro-Malabar Church and its major Archbishop. Pope Francis accepted his request to be relieved of duties considering his health condition and the increasing demands of pastoral care. Card. Alencherry is nearing 80 years and will not be a Cardinal Elector after April 2025. Born in 1945 in Kerala, Card. Alencherry is the Major Archbishop emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He was appointed as a Cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was also appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese of Thuckalay when Pope John Paul II established it in 1996. He was also among the cardinal electors in 2013. In 2023, Card. Alencherry stepped down as the head of the Syro-Malabar Church and its major Archbishop. Pope Francis accepted his request to be relieved of duties considering his health condition and the increasing demands of pastoral care. Card. Alencherry is nearing 80 years and will not be a Cardinal Elector after April 2025. Cardinal Anthony Poola: The first Dalit archbishop from India, Card. Poola is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad. He was born in 1961 in Andhra Pradesh. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope Francis in August 2022. In an interview with Vatican News in 2022, he said that he had to stop school education after seventh class due to poverty but the missionaries helped him with his education. This, he said, made him want to help poor children.
NDTV
21-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Pope Francis' Affection For Indians Will Always Be Cherished": PM Modi
New Delhi: Condoling the death of Pope Francis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Catholic priest's affection for the people of India will always be cherished. The 88-year-old leader of 1.4 billion Catholics across the world, suffering from various ailments, breathed his last at the Vatican this morning. PM Modi, who had met the Pope at the G7 summit in Italy last year, said he was deeply pained by Pope's death and extended his condolences to the Catholic community. "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions across the world," said the Prime Minister. PM Modi said Pope Francis had devoted himself to realising the ideals of Lord Christ from a young age. "He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope," he added. Recalling when he met him on several occasions, the prime minister said the pope inspired him in his journey to ensure an inclusive development. "I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God's embrace," said PM Modi. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) had approached PM Modi in 2022 regarding inviting the Pope to India. CBCI President Mar Andrews Thazhath had said that the PM had asked him to make his visit possible at the earliest. But it could not become a reality for the ailing Catholic leader.
