India: Archbishop Andrews Thazhath appointed Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese

Holy Father Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Antony Kariyil, the Vicar of the Major Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and has appointed Archbishop Andrews Thazhath as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese.

The announcement was made at noon at the Vatican and at 3.30 p.m. at Mount St. Thomas, the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and Archbishop’s House Ernakulam.

 Archbishop Andrews Thazhath will discharge his responsibility as the Apostolic Administrator while continuing as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur.

The Apostolic Administrator functions in the Archdiocese with the rights and responsibilities of a diocesan Bishop, while Cardinal Mar George Alencherry is holding the Office of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

The Administrator is primarily responsible to the Holy See in the administration of the Archeparchy although he may consult the Major Archbishop and the Synod.

Archbishop Antony Kariyil was asked by Vatican to resign after he failed to implement uniform method of offering the Mass, stipulated by the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Synod. 

The uniform method of celebrating the Mass was introduced in the Church in December 2021, but a section of the priests and laity of Ernakulam defied the directive from the Cardinal in this regard. Archbishop Kariyil stood with the sentiments of the section of priests and laity in the archdiocese.

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, born on 13 December 1951, was ordained a priest on 14 March 1977. After obtaining his doctorate in Canon Law, he worked in different fields in the Archdiocese of Trichur and in the Major Archiepiscopal Curia. He was appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur on 1 May 2004 and was made as the Archbishop of Trichur on 18 March 2007. He is now functioning as a member of the Permanent Synod, Chairman of the Public Affairs Commission, Convener of the Committee for Education, Member of the KCBC Vigilance Commission and Commission for Education. Mar Andrews Thazhath was a member of the delegation of Bishops invited by the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches to Rome recently to discuss on matters related to the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

 - With inputs from the Press Release issued by Major Archiepiscopal Chancellor