Latest news with #ConferenceofCatholicBishopsofIndia
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
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will pray for new Pope, says Church in India
Panaji: The Church in India welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV , and assured him of prayers. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India ( CCBI ) – comprising bishops of the Latin rite in India – expressed great joy upon receiving the news. 'May his pontificate be marked by grace, courage, and deep love,' said CCBI vice-president, archbishop Peter Machado. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference in India ( CBCI ) said it was a historic milestone where four Indian cardinals participated in the conclave, marking a significant moment in the Church's history in India. Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, and auxiliary bishop Simiao Fernandes also extended their prayerful wishes and sentiments of filial devotion as Pope Leo XIV begins his ministry of shepherding the Catholic Church as the successor of the apostle, St Peter. In response to the Pope's first words, inviting the people to peace and dialogue and sharing God's love with all, without fear, they pledged their faithful obedience and support to the Vicar of Christ.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Can Indians vote to choose next pope? Meet the four cardinals joining papal conclave
India's representation in the conclave The four Indian cardinals participating are: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (72) Cardinal Baselios Cleemis (64) Cardinal Anthony Poola (63): Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51): The conclave process A global church at a crossroads As the Catholic Church embarks on the sacred process of electing its 267th pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, four Indian cardinals are among the 133 electors convening in the Sistine Chapel. This conclave, notable for its unprecedented geographical diversity, underscores India's growing influence within the global Catholic community.: Archbishop of Goa and Daman, and President of both the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. He is recognized for his commitment to family ministry, interfaith dialogue, and social Indian Express: Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, based in Thiruvananthapuram, and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara TodayMetropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit cardinal in the Catholic Church, symbolizing a significant step towards Emeritus of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, emphasizing the Vatican's commitment to fostering understanding among different conclave commenced on May 7 with a solemn Mass in Basilica, followed by the cardinals' seclusion in the Sistine Chapel. Under Michelangelo's iconic frescoes, they will cast secret ballots, requiring a two-thirds majority—89 votes—to elect the new pope. The process is enveloped in strict confidentiality, with measures like signal jammers and oaths of secrecy to prevent information conclave is the most geographically diverse in history, reflecting the Church's expansion beyond its traditional European base. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, emphasized the need for unity and love in his homily, urging electors to choose a pope capable of guiding the Church through contemporary challenges.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
All catholic edu institutions remain shut in Mizoram to mourn pope's death
1 2 Aizawl: Catholic educational institutions in the Aizawl diocese remained closed on Tuesday to mourn the passing of Pope Francis, following a communique from Most Rev Stephen Rotluanga, Bishop of Aizawl Diocese. The announcement declared a nine-day mourning period (Novemdiales), as directed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), in accordance with Catholic traditions upon the death of a pope. The Bishop said it is customary for the church to organise prayer services on the day of the funeral. "If it is a working day, the institutions will organise prayer service for the departed soul of the Supreme Pontiff in the respective institutions," he said. During the mourning period, all institutions will fly their flags, including the Vatican flag, at half-mast, while portraits of Pope Francis will be displayed in local churches and institutions. Faithful members have been encouraged to recite the rosary or divine mercy chaplet for nine consecutive days, he added. The Bishop also announced that a special requiem mass will be held at Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Kulikawn on the day of Pope Francis' funeral. Priests, religious leaders, and all faithful are invited to attend. Christ the King Cathedral, Mizoram's first Catholic parish, was built in 1927, marking a historical significance. Additionally, during the Easter Octave, the church will continue to celebrate daily mass but will omit the Pope's name in Eucharistic prayers until a new Pope is elected. Special prayers for the departed soul will be included, mentioning Pope Francis during the mourning period. On Monday, the Bishop expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of Mizoram's Catholic community, highlighting Pope Francis' lifelong dedication to God, the church, and uplifting the poor and less fortunate. Born in 1936, Pope Francis inspired Christians worldwide to live with courage, determination, and love.
Gulf News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
Who are the four Indian cardinals electing the new pope?
The Catholic Church has entered a period of sede vacante — the interregnum between papacies, following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. A conclave will soon convene in the Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will gather to choose the next leader of the 1.3 billion-strong global Catholic community. It should begin no less than 15 and no more than 20 days after the death of the pope. The cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance jewel adorned with Michelangelo's celebrated frescoes, and hold four ballots a day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until one candidate wins two-thirds of the votes. At the end of each session, the ballots are burned in a stove by the chapel, releasing smoke above the Apostolic Palace as the world watches. If black smoke billows from a chimney overlooking St Peter's Square, the vote has been unsuccessful. White smoke signals a new pope has been elected. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (Age 72) Serving as the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Cardinal Ferrao also holds the titles of Patriarch of the East Indies and President of both the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. He is renowned for his commitment to family ministry, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, with a particular focus on supporting migrants and environmental protection. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis (Age 64) Born Isaac Thottumkal, Cardinal Cleemis is the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. As President of the Synod of his Church, he has been instrumental in preserving the unique traditions and teachings of the Syro-Malankara community. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012, his leadership has been pivotal in maintaining the spiritual journey of his Church. Cardinal Anthony Poola (Age 63) Appointed as the Archbishop of Hyderabad, Cardinal Poola made history as the first Dalit cardinal from India. His elevation is seen as a significant step towards inclusivity and equality within the Church, symbolising hope and progress for communities facing caste-based discrimination. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (Age 51) One of the youngest cardinal electors, Cardinal Koovakad hails from Changanassery, Kerala. He currently serves as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and holds the title of Cardinal-Deacon of S. Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia in Rome. His extensive diplomatic career includes service in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Since 2020, he has been part of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, organizing several papal trips, including visits to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.
