Kochi: Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has resigned as the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He announced that he was stepping down from the position in a press conference in Kochi today. He cited his weak health and the rising needs of the Church as reasons for his resignation. The Cardinal also said that he had the permission of Pope Francis to step down.
The press release read that according to the law of the Eastern Churches, when the Arch Bishop post falls vacant, the Curia Bishop will take the role of Administrator till the post is filled. In the current situation Curia Bishop, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal will become the administrator of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Cardinal Mar George Alencherry was head of the Syro-Malabar Church since 2011. He currently faces criminal cases against him over alleged irregularities in the sale of properties which belonged to the Church.
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