MAJOR ARCHBISHOP AND METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP

I would like to deal with two canonical and practical issues of our Church in relation to the New Major Archbishop. (1) The Major Archbishop of SMC and the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. (2) The Residence of the Major Archbishop.

When the newly elected Major Archbishop obtains confirmation from the Roman Pontiff, he becomes not only the Father and Head of the Syro-Malabar Church but also the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

The Common Law has the following indications regarding this. The Major Archbishop presides over his church as its Father and Head (CCEO C.55). A major Archbishop is the Metropolitan of a see who presides over an entire Eastern Church sui iuris (CCEO C.151). A Major Archiepiscopal Church must have a permanent see for the residence of the Major Archbishop inside its own territory, if possible in a principal city, from which the major Archbishop takes his title (CCEO C.57 §3).

The Particular Law of the SMC confirms them in the following words: “The Major Archbishop of the SMMAC is the Metropolitan of the See of Ernakulam‑Angamaly and he presides over the entire sui iuris SMMAC [of Ernakulam‑Angamaly] as Father and Head (SMC Statutes Article 6).

Now a days, connected to the demise a Major Archbishop and the election of a new Major Archbishop, these points are very much discussed in various forums. The arguments I have heard are the following:

1) The newly getting elected Major Archbishop is also the Metropolitan of the Ernakulam-Angamaly. Therefore, the election should be done in such a way that the new Major Archbishop is also to be an acceptable Metropolitan to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

2) In the last two appointments of the Major Archbishops, the Holy See had considered the point of acceptability of the Major Archbishop to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

3) The Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, because of various historical reasons, stands in a very peculiar situation.

4) Is it really necessary that the Major Archbishop effectively also function as the head of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly or is there any other solution?

5) Is it legally permitted to say the Major Archbishop of the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly or the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly? Is it not enough to say the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly?

6) Should the Major Archbishop reside in the Major Archbishop’s House of the Ernakulam-Angamaly or at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia?

One cannot shut one’s eyes to some of these facts. At the same time one should be aware of the eventual difficulties in accepting these arguments as they are. My study in relation to these:

1) If we look at the scenario of the Western and Eastern Sui Iuris Churches, there are sufficient models that have solved and settled already such problems.

2) In relation to the Papal elections, by the very fact of the newly elected Pope accepts the election, he becomes the Archbishop of Rome.

3) Though the Pope is also the Archbishop of Rome he does not reside at the Roman Diocesan Vicariate but in Vatican.

4) At the same time, Vatican stands out in the city of Rome with extra territorial jurisdiction apart from the Jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Rome.

5) The Pope appoints a Vicar General, with a kind of independent charge over the Archdiocese of Rome, who acts in Pope’s name in the Archdiocese of Rome.

6) The Roman diocesan Vicar General is a Cardinal, and before he is made a Cardinal, he is a Titular Archbishop.

7) There are internal directives promulgated with distinctions of the competences between the Pope and his Vicar General as far as the Archdiocese of Rome is concerned.

8) In the Annuario Pontificio, in the Catholic Patriarchal and Major Archiepiscopal Churches, there are Patriarchal or Major Archiepiscopal Vicars who take care of the administration of the Archdioceses.

9) There are many titular Archbishops who need not be Metropolitan Archbishops. Eg: The bishop of the diocese of Vasai is an Archbishop in title. All the Nuncios and many Vatican officials are titular Archbishops.

10) At the same time, regarding the title of our Church, a deeper historical and juridical study is needed to propose solutions.

When we have such models existing in the Universal Church, at this juncture, it is important that our Church considers these points seriously and takes conducive decisions. As the election for a new Major Archbishop is at door steps, the SMC has to sort them out either before or at least during the election process and find proper solutions for the same. I would like to propose the following actions:

1) The new Major Archbishop will be mainly the Father and Head of the Syro-Malabar Church. Above all, the consideration of the Candidate should be based on the acceptability of the Church.

2) Our Church has many problems to settle and a lot of areas to develop and hence the new Major Archbishop has to dedicate his full time for the growth of the Church in general.

3) Majority of his time, the new Major Archbishop is to reside in the Major Archiepiscopal Curia.

4) The new Major Archbishop is to appoint a Vicar General who will be mainly responsible for the running of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

5) Naturally this Vicar General is to be an acceptable person to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and hence before such appointment it is good to know the mind of the Archdiocese regarding the same.

6) Considering the tradition and the prestige, the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly has in the Society and the Church, such Vicar General has to have a title of the Archbishop.

7) An internal directive is to be promulgated by the Major Archbishop to distinguish the competences between the Major Archbishop and the Vicar General as far the diocesan administration is concerned.

8) If necessary, the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and the institutions related to it, need to be declared to be having extra territorial jurisdiction.

9) If needed the particular law is to be made to decide to deal with the situation of the death, burial situations of the Major Archbishop in the light of the laws of the UNIVERSI DOMINICI GREGIS.

10) The Synod has to make the understanding on this point before the election or at least during the waiting period for the confirmation from the Roman Pontiff. Regarding these issues a general understanding is to be made before the announcement of the new Major Archbishop.

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Chancellor, Kalyan Diocese

SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL DISPOSITION FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAJOR ARCHBISHOP

SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL DISPOSITION FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAJOR ARCHBISHOP

Prepared in the light of the directives from UNIVERSI DOMINICI GREGIS which is a Papal Document on the Election of the Roman Pontiff.

1. The Bishop electors not to allow themselves to be guided, in choosing the Major Archbishop, by friendship or aversion, or to be influenced by favour or personal relationships towards anyone, or to be constrained by the interference of persons in authority or by pressure groups, by the suggestions of the mass media, or by force, fear or the pursuit of popularity. Rather, having before their eyes solely the glory of God and the good of the Church, and having prayed for divine assistance, they shall give their vote to the person, even outside the Bishop electors, who in their judgment is most suited to govern the universal Church in a fruitful and beneficial way (No. 83).

2. During the time of the election of the Major Archbishop, the Church is united in a very special way with the Bishop electors, and she asks God to grant her a new Major Archbishop as a gift of his goodness and providence. Indeed, following the example of the first Christian community spoken of in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. 1:14), the Syro-Malabar Church, spiritually united with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, should persevere with one heart in prayer; thus the election of the new Major Archbishop will not be something unconnected with the People of God and concerning the Bishop electors alone, but will be in a certain sense an act of the whole Church. Humble and persevering prayers are to be offered to the Lord (cf. Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24), that he may enlighten the electors and make them so likeminded in their task that a speedy, harmonious and fruitful election may take place, as the salvation of souls and the good of the whole People of God demand (No. 84).

3. In a most earnest and heartfelt way let the priests lead the prayer of the People of God, fervently imploring the assistance of Almighty God and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit for the Bishop electors, especially at the time of the election itself. They will thereby participate in an effective and real way in the difficult task of providing a father and head for the Syro-Malabar Church (No. 85).

4. It is also asked the one who is elected not to refuse, for fear of its weight, the office to which he has been called, but to submit humbly to the design of the divine will. God who imposes the burden will sustain him with his hand, so that he will be able to bear it. In conferring the heavy task upon him, God will also help him to accomplish it and, in giving him the dignity, he will grant him the strength not to be overwhelmed by the weight of his office (No. 86).

Prepared by Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Qualities expected of Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop

Qualities expected of our Major Archbishop

(Some of the points are expressed by lay persons in SMC Orkut Community discussions)

1. Pater et Caput (Father and Head)

From the first millennium till date, this rich but simple title is used for the patriarchs. The Major Archbishop being the ‘Father and Head’, the Church should find in him a Father and accept him as the Head.

2. Man of Deep Faith

Biblical Patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, Peter, etc. and the great saints of the Church were people of deep faith who stood strong with the Lord. ‘Rock like faith’ was demanded by Jesus from all especially from Peter. They were led by God and they placed their whole trust in the Lord. They did what He asked them to do, relying totally upon the Divine providence and submitting themselves fully to His hands.

3. Man of God Experience

The Major Archbishop has to be a man touched by God. Through the liturgical celebrations, sermons, encyclicals and other teachings, he is to radiate the divine glow to others. He He is to be able to celebrate Holy Qurbana and other liturgical celebrations with devotion and unction, if possible with good singing and sermons, transmitting God experience.

4. Staunch Catholic

He has to esteem on high the Catholic doctrine. Our Church has always stood strong in communion with the Successor of Peter. Cordial relation with the Ecclesiastical bodies like the Holy See, Catholic Oriental Churches, CBCI, CCBI, KCBC, etc, need to be our priority.

5. Ecumenical Figure

Developing ecumenical fellowship is the need of the time with the aim of bringing the non-Catholics to the full communion and fostering the work of charity together.

6. Good Co-ordinator

Our Church has many eparchies, mission areas, varieties of culture, language, etc. We have a very rich human resource like many priests, religious, seminarians, lay persons working inside and outside the territorial boundaries of SMC as well as in Latin dioceses and religious congregations. We have unresolved problems like all India jurisdiction; pastoral care of migrants in India, Gulf and European countries; getting deserted Kerala families due to migration and less number of children; unity and uniformity in liturgical celebration; influence of Pentecostal groups; complex socio-political scenario; undue importance of media; issues related to education, administration and institutions; etc. Knitting well the synod of Bishops, permanent synod, the Curial and auxiliary bishops, Major Archiepiscopal curia, the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly in a just, fruitful and effective manner may not be easily done. Only a well organized co-ordinator can adequately face these situations.

7. Global Church Mission Visionary

Flooding migration in the global scenario amounts to not only complexity but also challenges. Meeting the pastoral needs of the SMCians, empowering them to strengthen the dying local Churches in the West and making them instruments and channels of re-evangelization and evangelization are the tasks of a Global Church Mission Visionary who has to attend to these subjects with due seriousness.

8. Defender of Eastern-ism

SMC, being an Eastern Church, the Major Archbishop is to have deep knowledge in Oriental Liturgy, Theology, Spirituality and Discipline. The deposit of faith and the Law of Thomas need to be meaningfully preserved and protected and developed for organic growth with utmost care balancing various ideologies and school of thoughts, existing in our Church.

9. Bridge Builder

With the people of different walks of life, caste, creed, religion, whenever and wherever a bridge is to be built, the Major Archbishop needs to be open and be whole heartedly ready.

10. Diplomat

Tackling the issues diplomatically with the Holy See, Latin Hierarchy and politicians without offending anyone at the same time making sure of stating the difference in the point of view and getting things done is a rare quality, desirable in the Major Archbishop.

11. Experienced Administrator

The Major Archbishop is to have administrative knowledge and experience in dealing with extra ordinary and difficult situations. He needs to guide with wisdom and deep understanding and should never hesitate to take bold decisions for the good of the Church and for the glory of God.

12. Motivating Moral and Spiritual Leader

Whoever comes in touch with the Major Archbishop, be able to experience a divine light shining in him. The people need to experience in him a great moral-spiritual leader. They will flock to him to receive divine blessings, to enjoy his graceful presence, to be spiritually nourished and motivated, to assimilate his spiritual words and to follow his morally sound activities, accepting him a guru or a hero.

Conclusive Note:

Apart from the above said qualities, the following are some of the much appreciated virtues in the Major Archbishop such as holiness, sincerity, honesty, simplicity, openness, truthfulness, transparency, nobility, meekness, listening and understanding capacity, respect for the other, respect for decentralization, refined styles, etc.

Gone are the days of disunity and disharmony thanks to the efforts of God-sent Vithayathil Pithav. He spoke openly on ‘crucifying obedience’ and roared boldly about the ‘injustice done to our Church’. Today he seems to be whispering to us that the crucifying obedience need not be at the cost of tolerating injustice and the time is matured enough to transform crucifying obedience to martyrdom for justice. The Church, clarifying its vision and mission, should commit herself to stand united to lead justice to victory (Mt 12:20). Through innovative methods, our Church needs to explore new styles of dialoguing with the Latin Hierarchy, respecting the laws of the Church and remaining in full communion with the successor of Peter.

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Chancellor, Diocese of Kalyan

Syro-Malabar Church - New Major Archbishop Election Synod

Votes to be obtained for the Election

As per the Particular Law, “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 according to c. 183 §§ 3,4, 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 (CCEO c. 72 §1).

According to the directive of the Papal Election, “If it is impossible to divide the number of bishops present into three equal parts, for the validity of the election of the Major Archbishop one additional vote is required (No. 62).”

And for absolute majority the votes shall be more than half.

The table provides with information on the number of votes to be obtained for the Election of the Major Archbishop

If Bishop Electors are	For two-third Majority	For Absolute Majority
46	30.66 is to be = 31	Half is 23, to be more, plus 1 =24
45	= 30	Half is 22.5 to be more, rounded = 23
44	29.33 is to be = 30	Half is 22 to be more, plus 1 = 23
43	28.66 is to be = 29	Half is 21.5 to be more, rounded = 22
42	= 28	Half is 21 to be more, plus 1 = 22
41	27.33 is to be = 28	Half is 20.5, to be more, rounded = 21
40	26.66 is to be = 27	Half is 20, to be more, plus 1 = 21