His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos named as Cardinal

Holy Father His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today named Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, as Cardinal. The announcement was made at the Vatican and at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum, simultaneously. Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod and Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, made the announcement at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, in the presence of His Excellency Yoohannon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of Pathanamthitta and His Excellency Samuel Mar Irenios, Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum. It is for the first time a bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church receives this title. Cardinal-nominated His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis is at present in Vatican, attending the Synod of Bishops in Rome.  Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and many faithful who were present during the announcement in the Cathedral received the news with great applauses.