Decision on the next Archbishop and Catholicos

To decide on the next Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church, the Synod will be held after 21 days.

Bishop of Bathery diocese Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios has taken over as administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church following the passing away of Major Archbishop and Catholicos Cyril Mar Baselios on Thursday.

At a press conference held on Friday, synod secretary and Bishop Thomas Mar Coorilose said as per Section 127 of the canon law, Mar Divanyasios, senior Metropolitan of the synod, had taken over as administrator.

Mar Coorilose said the synod would meet after the 21-day mourning period to decide on the next Major Archbishop and successor to Cyril Mar Baselios.

“The synod will take a decision at the meeting that will last up to five days and later, the decision will be communicated to the Pope,” he said. Generally, the Pope agrees to the decision taken by the Synod.

Mar Divanyasios, said that the person to be selected by the synod would have all the powers and title enjoyed by Cyril Mar Baselios.

Born on August 16 1935 at Ullannoor, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala in a family blessed with two priests, four nuns and an Archbishop, he was ordinated as a priest on October 4, 1960.

He received doctorate in Canon Law from Gregorian University, Rome, in 1975 after taking Masters degree in Psychology from the St John’s University, USA. He had taught at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, and the pontifical seminary, Aluva.

After his Episcopal Ordnination on Dec. 28, 1978, he became the Bishop of Bathery diocese.

Cyril Mar Baselious was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and head of the church in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. As the Metropolitan Archbishop he received sacred Pallium from Pope John Paul II on January 9, 1996 in Vatican.

He was elevated to Major Archbishop when the church was raised to the dignity of a major archepiscopal church.

A keen sense of observation, skill for planning and organisation, administrative skills, sense of value and spiritual leadership constitute the personality of Dr Cyril Mar Baselios. He had a deep rooted knowledge in theology, philosophy, psychology and economics.