Mumbai: Gracias' resignation accepted, Rodrigues becomes archbishop
Passing of the baton between the cardinal who had led the archdiocese since 2000 and the prelate designated as coadjutor by Francis last November 30. On 11 February the official installation. In a video message, Gracias' gratitude to the Church he led for almost 25 years. Rodrigues: ‘Coming after him I will have very big shoes to fill...’.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Just two months after the appointment of Bishop John Rodrigues as his coadjutor - on 30 November - Pope Francis today accepted the resignation of Card. Oswald Gracias as Archbishop of Mumbai.
Archbishop Rodrigues - who is 57 years old - therefore now assumes the office of metropolitan in place of the cardinal who had led the Church in the great metropolis of Maharashtra since 2000 and who turned 80 last 24th December.
The official announcement by Pope Francis came just on the eve of the assembly that the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CBCI) will hold in Bhubaneswar in Orissa starting on 28 January.
According to canon law, the succession is immediate, but the archdiocese of Mumbai announced today that an official Eucharistic celebration in the cathedral to welcome Archbishop John will be held on 11 February, on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
In a video message released today, Card. Gracias expressed heartfelt thanks to all his collaborators in the archdiocese, including bishops, priests, religious, lay people and citizens of Mumbai. He especially thanked the presbytery of the archdiocese for their unwavering dedication and support during the almost 25 years of his tenure.
Acknowledging the Pope's paternal care and God's protection, Cardinal Gracias gave thanks for the grace and guidance he has experienced as pastor of the Church in Mumbai.
The archdiocese today recalled the visionary leadership that the outgoing archbishop leaves as an ‘indelible legacy’ to the local Church, the Indian Church and the universal Church.
Speaking of his predecessor - whose auxiliary bishop he was before being called by Francis last year to lead the diocese of Pune - the new Archbishop John Rodrigues today said, ‘Card. Oswald Gracias was a giant man; now as his successor I will have very big shoes to fill'.
Fr. Anthony Charanghat, former editor of The Examiner, the archdiocesan weekly, commented on this transition for the Church in Mumbai: ‘We are very happy to welcome Archbishop John Rodrigues.
Already Card. Ivan Dias described him as a humble and attentive listener of God's Word, ready to do His will and serve when called upon. His excellent qualities of mind, heart, diligence and industriousness will serve him well in this responsibility that Pope Francis has entrusted to him'.
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