Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Alencherry

By Vatican News

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

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.

Important milestones

He recalled the fiftieth-anniversary last year of the Cardinal’s priestly ordination and the twenty-fifth as a bishop, and thanked him for his “zeal and generosity” as he “laboured unceasingly for the achievement of various important milestones in the life of this Particular Church.”

These include, the Pope said, the recognition of the All-India jurisdiction, the establishment of Procurator offices in Rome, and the erection of Eparchies in Australia, Canada, and Great Britain.

In his letter the Holy Father also upheld the Cardinal’s involvement in addressing pastoral care, catechesis, liturgy, clergy formation, and youth accompaniment, with a special focus on the diaspora.

”You have attended to all this without neglecting the ordinary path of the Church,“ he wrote, "while not forgetting to give attention and service to the poor and those most in need. ”

Offer to step away in 2019

Pope Francis acknowledged the significant event in 2022: the 1,950th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas, the Apostle believed to have brought the Gospel to India.

Inspired by Saint Thomas's example of sacrifice and dedication to the Gospel, he wrote, “And out of love for the risen Lord and His Church, in 2019 you offered to step away from the pastoral governance of the beloved Syro-Malabar Church when faced with divisions and protests.“

However, he continued, in line with the judgment of the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops, at that time the Apostolic See “did not consider it the suitable moment.”

“The Synod, however, could not fail to recognize in your request the heart of a Pastor who set the unity and mission of the Church above everything else,” the Pope said.

Fulfillment of service

Today, he continued having reached two significant jubilees and accomplished his pastoral objectives, the Pope said he regards resignation “not as a conclusion but the fulfillment of service.”

Indeed, he said,  this decision represents a “further witness to fidelity to the Gospel and a new way of serving the Church through contemplative and intercessory prayer.”

Concluding, the Pope said that while accepting Cardinal Alencherry’s resignation “as a sign of openness and docility to the Holy Spirit,” the prelate will continue to offer counsel to the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia of which he is a member.

Resignation and new appointment of Apostolic Administrator

The Holy See Press Office also announced that Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the Office of Apostolic Administrator of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur in the Syro-Malabar Church, Andrews Thazahath.

In a statement, it added that the Holy Father appointed Syro-Malabar Bishop Bosco Puthur as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Archeparchy.

According to the provisions of canon law, until the election of the new Major Archbishop, the Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church is Curial Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, titular bishop of Troyna.