Cardinal Poola Anthony elected CBCI president at 37th general body meeting

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the country, has elected new office bearers during its 37th general body meeting held on February 7. The newly elected leadership will serve a term of 2 years. Cardinal Poola Anthony, Archbishop of Hyderabad, has been elected President of the CBCI.

Thomas Mar Koorilos, Archbishop of Tiruvalla, was elected vice president–first, while Mathew Moolakkatt, Archbishop of Kottayam, was chosen as vice president–Second. Anil Couto was re-elected as secretary general of the CBCI.

The newly elected office bearers reflect the liturgical diversity of the Catholic Church in India. Cardinal Poola Anthony and Archbishop Anil Couto belong to the Latin Rite. Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos represents the Syro-Malankara Rite, while Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt belongs to the Syro-Malabar Rite.

The outgoing office bearers include Mar Andrews Thazhath, who served as president; George Anthonysamy, who served as vice president–first; and Joseph Mar Thomas, who served as vice president–second.