Pope Francis has officially erected the Ecclesiastical Province of Calicut in India, marking a significant moment in the life of the Catholic Church in the region. The decision elevates the Diocese of Calicut to the status of a Metropolitan Archdiocese.
Alongside the elevation, the Holy Father has assigned the dioceses of Kannur and Sultanpet, previously suffragans of the Ecclesiastical Province of Verapoly, to the newly established Metropolitan Church of Calicut.
In the same announcement, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal, who has served as Bishop of Calicut until now, as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Calicut.
The creation of the new ecclesiastical province reflects the ongoing growth and pastoral needs of the Catholic community in southern India, especially in the state of Kerala, where these dioceses are located.
Archbishop-elect Varghese Chakkalakal brings with him a wealth of pastoral and academic experience, having served the Church with dedication over the years. His appointment is seen as both a recognition of his leadership and a strategic step to strengthen the Church’s mission in the region.
This latest development underscores the Church’s commitment to nurturing local communities and ensuring pastoral care continues to evolve in line with the spiritual and social realities of the faithful.
Catholics across India and the global Church celebrate this new chapter for the Archdiocese of Calicut, praying for Archbishop-elect Chakkalakal and the newly established province.
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