Converted Archbishop Will Retain Dignity in Catholic Church

Quilon (India) – Mar. Ivanios, the Jacobite Archbishop who, with his assistant bishop, was received into the Catholic Church by His Lordship Bishop Benziger of Quilon, India, recently, will retain the dignity of Archbishop by special consent of the Holy See. His Holiness Pope Pius XI has further declared him free to use the powers of his Sacred Orders and jurisdiction. The new Archbishop has also received the faculty or receiving into the Church 13 priests and one deacon, all monks of the congregation instituted by him while an Archbishop of the Jacobite Church.

The Jocobite Schismatics, a body dating from the break with the Holy See four centuries ago, count approximately 400,000 in the Malabar section of India. The step taken by Mar Ivanios, characterized as the greatest religious reformer of the sect, has created a profound impression and is expected by some to lead many conversions. New converts from Jacobitism will be under the jurisdiction of the two bishops just received. Jacobite priests who are married may be received as such though future candidates for the priesthood must take the obligation of celibacy.

Copyright: The Catholic Advocate (Brisbane), 11 Dec 1930