Holy Father Pope Francis made an appointment in the eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, headquartered in southern India’s Kerala state. The Pontiff has appointed His Grace Bishop Jacob Manathodath of Palghat (Syro-Malabar) as Apostolic Administrator “Sede Plena” of the Metropolitan Archeparchy (archdiocese) of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
Normally, the Pope appoints an apostolic administrator when a see is vacant (sede vacante), but a “sede plena” appointment is done in a special case where the see is not vacant, i.e. the diocesan bishop is still in place. Hence, His Eminence Cardinal George Allencherry continues to be the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly as well as the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Of the country’s 180 dioceses, 132 belong to the Latin rite. Syro-Malabar Church has 34 dioceses, while the Syro-Malankara has 14.
