Pope meets new head of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

(October 17, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday encouraged leaders of the India-based Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in its outreach pastoral programme for members scattered throughout the world, but he said they should it in cooperation with bishops and pastors of other rites. The Pope made the remark when he received in the Vatican the new head of the Syro-Malabar Cathlic Church, Major Archbishop George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly, along with some 200 members of the Church. While the previous two major archbishops of the Church were appointed by the Pope, Archbishop Alencherry is the first head to be elected by the Church’s Synod. India’s Catholic Church is a communion of three ritual Churches: the Latin, which is the largest, and the two eastern rites – the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara – which are based in southern India’s Kerala state. This is Archbishop Alencherry’s first visit to the Pope along with his bishops following his election in May this year. Pope Benedict expressed appreciation for the Church’s educational, social and charitable services, urging it to continue working with people of good will of all religions in the area, in order to maintain peace and harmony for the good of the Church and of all citizens. He also encouraged the good work of fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life, efforts to maintain the strength of family structures, the quality of Catholic education and catechesis at every level, and pastoral work with youth. While encouraging the outreach pastoral initiatives in favour of Syro-Malabar Catholics scattered throughout the world, Pope Benedict said, “I ask you to do so always mindful of the essential need for cooperation with Catholic Bishops and pastors of other rites.