Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 11: Pope Benedict XVI announced Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of Syro-Malabar Church of India, George Alencherry, as the Cardinal, on January 6.  The priest, born on April 19, 1945, had been named as cardinal-designate some time back.

Beltangady, Bhadravati, and Mandya diocese of Karnataka fall under the administration of the new Cardinal. He was chosen from India as one among the 22 newly appointed Cardinals from across the globe. The Cardinals are considered close confidantes of the Pope, and they together are entitled to choose the new Pope.

Mar Alanchery had served with the Changanassery Archdiocese from 1976 to 1978 as director of its religious school and as secretary of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council. He had also served as the Vicar General of the Changanassery Archdiocese. In February, 1997, he took charge as the first Bishop of the Thakkala Diocese, which was constituted in 1996.