Major Arch Bishop Baselios Mar Cleemis of Syro-Malankara Church is elevated as the first Cardinal

Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis

The Holy Father Benedict XVI has announced the elevation of the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis as a Cardinal of the Universal Catholic Church. The order of the Pontiff was read in the Thiruvananthapuram Cathedral today.

With his appointment as a Cardinal, Major Arch Bishop Moron Mor Baselios Cleemis is the first one from the Syro-Malankara Church to become a Cardinal of the Holy Catholic Church. He is the 89th Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The official anointment will take place in the Vatican on the 24th of November, 2012.

The Malankara Catholic Church which was re-unified with the Catholic Church in 1930 has more than half a million (five lakhs) strong devotees.

Moron Cleemis Catholicos, who was ordained as a Priest in 1986, is one among the six new Cardinals announced by the Holy father this afternoon. With this, the Universal Catholic Church of Lord Jesus Christ will have 211 Cardinals out of whom 89 have the right to vote and elect the Pope.

Let us all Pray for the new Cardinal and wish him all success to lead the Malankara Church as per the Will of the Divine Master in the present era of the evil....!