His Eminence Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, former president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India also the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church, shared the joyful memories he experienced during his tenure being the president of CBCI for the past two years. Mar Cleemis conveyed that it was always joyful to be with the ministry of leadership in the Church in India and highlighted that it has always been a blessing for him to be with the 175 dioceses and above 200 Bishops, praying together and discussing and reflecting upon the mission in India.
His Eminence Cardinal Cleemis remarked that “I always looked at it as a point of ministry to take care of the concerns seriously for the welfare of our Church in the context of our nation. I still believe, which has been always in my mind that the Church needs our country and this country, India, needs the church.” Further, Mar Cleemis added, “Therefore, our objectives, our reflections, our attitudes and our action plans were always directed to that line to take care of the most needy in this country and respectfully include everyone specially giving emphasis to our people at the periphery and to keep our democratic values of country and also to always instill an essence of great honor and great love for our country and we will continue to do that.”
The appointment of the new President of CBCI was announced by the 33rd General Body meeting of CBCI, at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru that will conclude on 9th February, 2018.
