Mar Alenchery appointed as Major Archbishop

KOCHI: Amidst solemn prayers, Mar George Alenchery was installed the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church on Sunday at St Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam, the cathedral church of the Syro-Malabar Church.The installation ceremony began with the designated Major Archbishop,  escorted by other bishops, entering the altar of St Mary’s Basilica around 3 pm. Syro-Malabar Church Curia Bishop Mar Bosco Puthur welcomed the gathering. Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, read out the papal message and the message from the Prefect of Congregation for the Oriental Churches. He also presented a memento to the new Archbishop.As a mark of installing Mar Alenchery as the new Major Archbishop, Mar Bosco Puthoor adorned him with the mitre (headgear) and crosier. Following this, each bishops hugged the new Archbishop and expressed their obedience. Syro-Malankara Church head Archbishop Baselios Cleemis, Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CBCI) president Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, all the bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, representatives of priests, religious and laity of all Syro-Malabar dioceses, bishops and metropolitans of other Christian denominations, Union Minister K V Thomas,  ministers K Babu, K M Mani, Supreme Court Judge Justice Syriac Joseph were present at the ceremony.The third Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Mar Alenchery is the first Major Archbishop, whom the Synod elected its own after the Syro-Malabar Church was elevated to the status of Major Archepiscopal Church. His predecessors Mar Antony Padiyara and Mar Vithayathil were appointed by the Pope.