PANAJI
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) felicitated Cardinals-Designate Filipe Neri Ferrão and Anthony Poola during a function at Paalanaa Bhavan, Bangalore on July 26.
Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias honoured Cardinal-Designate Filipe Neri Ferrão with an Indian shawl and a copy of the ESVCE Bible. Cardinal-Designate Anthony Poola was also honoured in a similar manner by Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado.
In his felicitation message, CCBI Vice President and Metropolitan Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore George Antonysamy said that “the nomination of two new cardinals from India is a special honour and recognition accorded to the Church in India and particularly to the CCBI. The Latin Church in India is grateful to Pope Francis and to the Holy See.”
Pope Francis announced on May 29 that Archbishop Ferrão (69), who is also president of the CCBI, and Archbishop Anthony Poola (61) would be created Cardinals at a Consistory to be held on August 27.
The Pope also announced the names of 18 other Prelates from around the world who would be made cardinals at the same Consistory. The new cardinals represent the Church worldwide and reflect a wide variety of cultures, contexts and pastoral ministries.
