For the first time in the History the Syro-Malabar Church (SMC), its third Major Archbishop will be elected during the Synod of Bishops scheduled from 23rd to 29th May 2011 which is caused by the demise of the Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 1st April 2011. The Ancient Laws were restored by Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO) on the election of the Patriarch and Major Archbishop. Hence Six Patriarchal and four Major Archiepiscopal Catholic Churches elect their Father and Head according to the norms of Law. In 1992, Pope John Paul II, erecting Syro-Malabar Church, a Major Archiepiscopal one, appointed its first Major Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara. At that time, the Pope had reserved to himself powers regarding the election of the Major Archbishop and the Bishops. Because of this the second one Mar Varkey Vithayathil was also appointed by the Roman Pontiff in 1997. Later in 2004, the reservation on election was lifted and hence as per CCEO c. 63, Syro-Malabar Church is entitled to have its Major Archbishop elected.
The Major Archbishop of the SMC is the Metropolitan of the See of Ernakulam‑Angamaly and he presides over the entire sui iuris SMC as Father and Head. He will have all the prerogatives, rights and obligations determined by the common law and the particular law of the SMC.
Canonical Convocation and Electors
The Administrator is to convoke the Synod to conduct the election of the Major Archbishop within two months from the vacancy of the See. The Synod for the Election is to be conducted at the Major Archiepiscopal residence. Any other place may be designated by the administrator with the consent of the Permanent Synod.
In the election of the Major Archbishop, all and only the members of the Synod enjoy active voice. 46 bishops from all 29 Syro-Malabar eparchies, (18 inside and 11 outside the territorial boundaries) have voting power, including the curia bishop, emeritus bishops and auxiliary bishops. All bishops lawfully convoked are bound by grave obligation to be present at the election. If a certain bishop considers himself detained by a just impediment he is to submit his reasons in writing to the Synod.
It is forbidden for anyone other than the members of the Synod to be present in the synodal hall during the election of the Major Archbishop, except those clerics who are admitted as tellers or notary of the Synod. It is not allowed for anyone either before or during the Synod to interfere in the election of the Major Archbishop.
The Qualities of the Candidates
The Particular Laws of the SMC has determined the qualities mentioned in c. 180 as requirements for the one to be a Major Archbishop. For a person to be considered suitable for the episcopate, he must be outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls and prudence. He is held in good esteem; be at least thirty-five years old; be ordained presbyter for at least five years; hold a doctorate or licentiate in some sacred science or at least be well versed in it.
Election Process
The Synod in its first session shall elect the one who is to preside over the synod for the election of the Major Archbishop; until then the presidency is reserved to the administrator. All those who are present at the Synod are bound by serious obligation of observing secrecy concerning those matters that directly or indirectly concern the balloting. During the ballot the one who obtains two‑third of the votes is elected Major Archbishop, if after five ballots no one gets the required number of votes, absolute majority would be sufficient in the sixth and seventh ballots; but if no one gets absolute majority even in the seventh ballot the votes are cast in the eighth ballot for only those two candidates who have secured the highest number of votes in the seventh ballot. At present SMC has 46 Bishop Electors. In order to get the two third majority, one Candidate has to get 31 votes and for absolute majority 24 votes. If because of a tied vote, the tie is decided in favour of him who is senior according to Episcopal ordination if both are bishops, and according to the presbyteral ordination if either of them is a priest or if no one precedes the other the one who is senior in age. If the election is not carried out within fifteen days from the opening of the Synod, the matter devolves upon the Roman Pontiff.
After the Election
If the one who is elected is at least a legitimately proclaimed bishop, the presiding officer, or if the presiding officer is elected, the senior bishop according to the Episcopal ordination, in the name of the entire Synod, is immediately to communicate the election to the one who is elected. Within two available days after the intimation the one who is elected must inform in writing whether he accepts the election. After the acceptance by the one who is elected the Synod must inform the Roman Pontiff, through a Synodal letter, of the canonical conduct of the election; the one who is elected must in a letter signed in his own hand, request the confirmation of his election from the Roman Pontiff. After having obtained the confirmation, the one who is elected must, in the presence of the Synod, make a profession of faith and promise to discharge faithfully his office; after that his proclamation and enthronement are to be carried out. In case, the one who is elected is not yet an ordained bishop, the enthronement cannot validly be done before he receives the Episcopal ordination. If, however, the confirmation is denied, a new election is to be conducted within the time established by the Roman Pontiff.
Guidance of the Holy Spirit
The Administrator Mar Bosco Puthur has exhorted the entire Church to pray earnestly from 1 May till the closing of the Synod for the powerful intervention of the Holy Spirit so that the most apt person for leading SMC forward is elected Major Archbishop. By praying earnestly, all the members of the Church, join in the process of electing a new Major Archbishop. Hence it is firmly believed that the selection is of the Holy Spirit, though done through the Bishop electors.
Rev. Dr. Francis Eluvathingal
Chancellor, Kalyan Diocese
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