The India-based Syro-Malabar Church has welcomed the appointment of its head, Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, to a ten-member special Vatican committee on Eastern rite Churches. The appointment made by Pope Francis “is a major recognition to the Syro-Malabar Church,” said Father Antony Vadakkekara, spokes-person of the southern Kerala-headquartered Church. Thattil was “appointed a few days ago, and we were informed today,” he told on Oct. 23. Vadakkekara said the special committee advises Pope Francis on forming policies on Eastern Churches. With 35 dioceses in India and abroad, Thattil represents the second-largest Eastern rite Church in communion with the Holy See. It claims a membership of some 5 million Catholics. ”No doubt, the appointment shows Pope Francis’s special consideration toward the Church that is spread across the globe,” the Vincentian priest added. Thattil’s presence will “effectively help” the Eastern rite Churches worldwide, Vadakkekara added. Before his elevation as the head of the sui juris Church in January, Thattil led the Shamshabad diocese in northern India, touted to be the largest diocese in India, spread over 22 Indian states. As its head, Thattil visited the mission stations in remote villages with poor road connections. A priest who worked with Thattil in northern India said Thattil’s mission experience “will be an added asset” to the dicastery.