Elected by the Synod, Major Archbishop Issac Mar Cleemis, officially became the second Catholica Bawa of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church

Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis was installed as the second Major Archbishop and Catholicos of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church before a large gathering of the faithful and dignitaries at a solemn function here on Monday.

Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, 48, is the youngest to occupy the highest office of the Church since its formation in 1930. He is also the youngest head among the 22 uniat Churches in the Catholic Church, according to the Church authorities.

The installation ceremony, which took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral at Pattom around 8 a.m., was led by Malankara Catholic Church Administrator Geevarghese Mar Divannasios.

The installation began with the Prefect seeking the consent of Mar Cleemis for his installation. He was later seated on a throne and lifted up three times by the chancellors from various Malankara Catholic dioceses to mark the installation.

Each time the throne was lifted, a priest specially designated by the prefect chanted ‘Oxios’, a Syriac word which means ‘he is eligible’. The word was chorused by the gathering. The Major Archbishop then blessed the gathering.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, CBCI President Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, CCBI President Archbishop Oswald Gracious and Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil were the attendees at the solemn function.

Koorilos Pithav’s Message on the Election

It is with great joy that I write to you. We have a new Bava Tirumeni in the person of Mar Cleemis Pithave, whom the Lord has truly fashioned. With due permission I would like to inform you what has really happend in the Synod. I write this because I know you have a right to know.

The Synod fathers entered into a day of prayer and fasting after the Memorial service of our Cyril Baselios Bava Tirumeni. The Retreat was led by His Grace Archbishop Mar Powathil. WE went for prayer and adoration. 8th Feb was a day of prayer and fast in the entire Malankara Church. On th 8th at 11 a.m. we went to the tomb of our Pithakkanmar and then we entered into the Synod of Election. All the seven bishops were present. The president was unanimously elected and election proceedures were given. Then ballots were distributed for the first round of election. As it was prohibited by norm no discussion was held regarding anything in the election time. This is to uphold the freedom of the Synod Fathers. In the first ballot itself it was evident to the Bishops that the Lord was choosing Mar Cleemis pithave for this office, however, the election was inconclusive since there was no two third majority. Then we went for prayer and adoration. At 3 p.m. we came back and recited the rosary and the second round was held. There our Cleemis pithave was unanimously elected Father and Head of our Church. Then as per the canon, the senior most bishop, here Mar Timotheos pithave asked the Catholicos elect whether he was willing to accept this decision of Fathers. He accepted. Then we immediately sent letters to the Holy Father through the Nunciature. We got the confirmation of the election in about 24 hours. We wanted the announcement to be held on 10th since it was the second anniversary of our Major Archiepiscopate. After we got the confirmation the Catholicos elect made profession of faith in the Synod and the Synod fathers made their allegiance to the new Catholicos. Then the annoucnement was held on 10th at 4.30 p.m. It was a great moment of joy for us. WE have set an example for all. After the new code came in it was the first election in the life of the Eastern Catholic Churches. WE could set and example of fellowship and true inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We bishops are so happy that we fully and freely yielded to the promptings of the Spirit. It was TRULY A HOLY SYNOD. It was holy because it was the Holy Spirit who was leading, we were only instruments. I know we have shown a great maturity and this was also what the Holy Father meant when he said we are the fastest growing Church. I know everything is because of the intercession of the blessed Mother and the humble servant of the Lord our dear Mar Ivanios Pithave, the founder of our Reunion movement. Let us be truly happy that we have a great bava thirumeni as Mar Cleemis pithave. 

with love, 
Pithave

Catholicos Bawa Cleemis Baselios – Major Archbishop-Designate

Archbishop Isaac Mar Cleemis Thottunkal, aged 47, presently Archbishop of Tiruvalla has been elected ‘Catholicos Bawa’, head of the Catholic Syro-Malankara Church.

He was elected by the Syro-Malankara Bishops’ Synod which met between February. 7th to 10th, 2007 in Catholicos Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala.

The announcement was made by Bishop Geevarghese Mar Divannasios.

The Holy Father has granted approval to the apointment.

The new Major Archbishop would be called Catholicos Bawa Cleemis Baselios and would be installed Major Archbishop of Trivadrum Archdiocese on March 03, 2007.

The Major Metropolitan See of Trivandrum was vacant due to the death of His Beatitude Cyril Mar Baselios who went to his heavenly reward on Jan. 18, 2007.

During the interim period, Bishop of Bathery Geevarghese Mar Divannasios was elected Administrator.

Archbishop Isaac Mar Cleemis is the Second Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), elected during the General Body Meeting 2006 held in Bangalore.

The newly-elected Major Archbishop was born on June 15, 1959 and ordained priest on Aug. 15, 1986. He was consecrated Bishop on Aug. 15, 2001 and made Archbishop on May 15, 2006.

Bishop Thomas Mar Koorilos’ Message

Dear faithful of Malankara Catholic Church and admirers of Late MajorArchbishop Cyril Baselios Catholicos,

Indeed it was a moment of great grief for all of us to acknowledge that our Bava thirumeni has left to join in the share of our great and venerable forefathers. His life was a life of great accomplishment. Ever since he assumed charge as head and father of our church 11 years ago, the Church was brought into tremendous growth. He was instrumental in creating three dioceses-Marthandom, Muvattupuzha and Mavelikara and raising Tiruvalla into Archdiocese. He ordained all our bishops except our Timotheos pithave. Each year there was something special to celebrate and commomorate. He was a great spiritual leader. Under his leadership we strengthened many of our mission centres, and started many. He was an ardent lover of the poor and the marginalized. He had a soft corner for our dalit bretheren and did everything possible for their well being. He wanted to bring the entire Malankra church in one fold and he did it very well. The funeral was the most precious moment when the glory of the Malankara Catholic Church rose into unprecedented heights.What a burial and what a slomenity. Even his death brought honour for our Church. This visionary has left us with a luminous example of courage, great religious life, indian spirituality, openness, etc. May our great and beloved Reesh Reesh Aboon rest in peace. I shall write the details of the funeral and other arrangements we have done soon. Meantime, keep praying and strengthening each other with fast and penance.

The funeral began at 7 a.m. with the Morning prayer and Holy Mass. At 9 the body was taken to Palayam our Church and it was kept in the podium. The Apostolic Nuncio H.Ex. Pedro Lopez Quintana and the CCBI President and Bombay Archbishop Oswald Gracias were present. H.G. Susa Pakkiam, the Latin Archbishop of Trivandrum gave the homily. He specially mentioned Bava thirumeni as a great visionary and promoter of the down-trodden. He also mentioned that some of the comments from some churches regarding the title he has taken according to the tradtion of the Malankara Catholic Church pained him very much. He said that the Malankara Catholic Church by this title has fully grown into its autonomy and it would remove the fear of any bretheren to come into communion with the Apostolic See of St. Peter, the pillar on which Christ built his church. Then the procession began and it was so moving. The faithful, sisters,seminarians and priests walked the street with great devotion and it was a great witness. In one of the papers it was remarked that Anandapuri has witnessed the greatest crowd after 2000. Some of our political leaders also walked the entire route. Then the final session of the burial with farewell prayers were recited. Our Administrator Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios lead the prayers. The burial took place at about 2.45 p.m. Thereafter a public meeting was held in which great leaders have participated. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes and Oppostion leader Oommen Chandy and other ministers were present.

The following matters were also decided in the bishops’ meeting:

Suspend all celebrations in the Church for one week; keep 21 days for mourning and prayers; on 7th February to hold the memorial day of our Bava tirumeni as Shradha Perunnal. The same evening the members of the episcopal synod would go into retreat and the following day will be kept as a day of special prayer and fasting. These are moments of great importance for our church and I request all of you to pray for our Church, and especially for all of us bishops that we may be truly under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

With love, 

Koorilose pithav

Decision on the next Archbishop and Catholicos

To decide on the next Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church, the Synod will be held after 21 days.

Bishop of Bathery diocese Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios has taken over as administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church following the passing away of Major Archbishop and Catholicos Cyril Mar Baselios on Thursday.

At a press conference held on Friday, synod secretary and Bishop Thomas Mar Coorilose said as per Section 127 of the canon law, Mar Divanyasios, senior Metropolitan of the synod, had taken over as administrator.

Mar Coorilose said the synod would meet after the 21-day mourning period to decide on the next Major Archbishop and successor to Cyril Mar Baselios.

“The synod will take a decision at the meeting that will last up to five days and later, the decision will be communicated to the Pope,” he said. Generally, the Pope agrees to the decision taken by the Synod.

Mar Divanyasios, said that the person to be selected by the synod would have all the powers and title enjoyed by Cyril Mar Baselios.

Born on August 16 1935 at Ullannoor, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala in a family blessed with two priests, four nuns and an Archbishop, he was ordinated as a priest on October 4, 1960. 

He received doctorate in Canon Law from Gregorian University, Rome, in 1975 after taking Masters degree in Psychology from the St John’s University, USA. He had taught at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, and the pontifical seminary, Aluva.

After his Episcopal Ordnination on Dec. 28, 1978, he became the Bishop of Bathery diocese. 

Cyril Mar Baselious was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and head of the church in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. As the Metropolitan Archbishop he received sacred Pallium from Pope John Paul II on January 9, 1996 in Vatican.

He was elevated to Major Archbishop when the church was raised to the dignity of a major archepiscopal church.

A keen sense of observation, skill for planning and organisation, administrative skills, sense of value and spiritual leadership constitute the personality of Dr Cyril Mar Baselios. He had a deep rooted knowledge in theology, philosophy, psychology and economics.

Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios Passes Away

The first Major Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church Cyril Mar Baselious passed away on Thursday 18th January, 2007. He was 71.

The Major Archbishop was diabetic and had been undergoing dialysis for the last six months. He was admitted to a private hospital here on Thursday morning following complaints of uneasiness.

He breathed his last there at 6.45 p.m. His death was unexpected as the Major Archbishop was the chief celebrant at an installation ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, on Wednesday.

Funeral was held on Saturday, 20th January, 2007.

All educational institutions under the Malankara Catholic diocese remained closed on Friday and Saturday.

It was during his tenure as Archbishop in February 2005 that the Malankara Catholic Church was elevated to Major Archiepiscopal status. Cyril Mar Baselius was a member in the congregation for oriental churches in Rome.

People from all walks of life turned up in large numbers at the St. Mary’s Cathedral here on Friday to pay their last respects to Major Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church Cyril Mar Baselius who passed away on Thursday.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Mayor C. J ayan Babu, District Collector N. Ayyappan, freedom fighter K.E. Mammen, Chennai Archbishop Chinnappa and Mavelikkara Archbishop Joshua Mar Ignatios were among those who arrived at the church in the morning to pay homage.

Representative of the Pope in India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, C.C.B.A president Archbishop Oswald Gracious were among those who came to pay their respect to Archbishop Baselios. This was followed by the “Dhupa-Prarthana” by all seven Bishops of the Malankara Catholic Church. Following which, Trivandrum Arch-Diocese Arch Bishop and close friend of Catholica Bava, Arch Bishop Susapa gave a speech.

The funeral service which started at 12.15 p.m. was lead by Geevarghese Mar Divanyasios, the Bishop of Bathery and the administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church. The funeral rites were preceded by a public procession from St.Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Palayam.

It was a sad moment when H.E. Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios’ was taken from St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Pattom for a procession around the city of Thruvananthapuram.

The cathedral bells chimed and hymns in Syriac exhorting to `go in peace’ sung by the mourners rented the air as priests acting as pallbearers escorted the throne down the aisle. The throne was then raised at the four doors of the Cathedral, representing East, West, North and South, by the priests as sign of bidding adieu to the city and its people. The `funeral squad,’ comprising the State police armed battalion, reversed arms as a mark of respect.

“Ente nagarame, janame, ningalodu njyaan yatra parayunnu. Ningal samadhanathode vasikyuka” (My city, my people, I bid adieu to you. Peace be with you.) – was the farewell prayer being said as the procession moved around the city. As the procession moved through the city, people bid farewell with tears to the Archbishop.

The procession moved along the flyover, PMG Junction and Lourdes Church and reached the cathedral in two hours. Around 30,000 people including Cardinal Moussa Ignace Daoud, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; Pedro Lopez Quintana, representative of the Pope in India, 25 Bishops, 1,500 priests and 3,000 nuns attended the service.

Draped in solemn vestment and seated on a throne with the symbolic staff in hand, the body was interred alongside his predecessors Mar Ivanios and Mar Gregorios, in a specially prepared vault filled with frankincense at the basement of the Cathedral.

Kuwait’s Adharanjali to Major Arch Bishop Baselios