Cardinal Gracias is back as CBCI President

Cardinal Oswald Gracias is among the six advisors to Pope Francis. File pic

The Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, 75, was re-elected as the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) for a second term. The decision for his re-election was announced on February 17, which was the fifth day of the CBCI's 34th plenary assembly which concluded at St John's Medical College in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Cardinal Gracias will now lead the Indian Catholic Church for the next two years.

Cardinal Oswal Gracias is among the six advisors to Pope Francis. The latter had extended Cardinal Gracias' term as the Archbishop of Bombay last December, since Gracias had submitted his resignation in November 2019 as he was about to cross the age of 75 - the mandatory year of retirement. He was first elected as the President of the CBCI in February 2018.

Speaking to mid-day, Fr. Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for Cardinal Gracias, said that the decision to re-elect Cardinal Gracias was taken at the Bangalore plenary, which is 'like a general body meeting of all the bishops.'

"Normally, someone is not elected as the CBCI president for more than two terms," he said, adding that the duties of the President included 'coordinating with all the bishops of India.'

Archbishop Felix Machado, the bishop of Vasai, was elected as the CBCI Secretary-General.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates