The elevation of an Indian priest who worked in the Vatican as cardinal adds to the global recognition of the Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church, says the Church’s spokesperson. Father George Jacob Koovakad, a priest of the Kerala-based Church’s Changanacherry archdiocese, was among the 21 new cardinals named by Pope Francis on Oct. 6. They will be given the red biretta on Dec. 8 at the feast of the Immaculate Conception. “It is a great honour for the Syro-Malabar Church as one of its sons is elevated as cardinal directly, which is first in India,” said Fr Antony Vadakkekara, spokesperson of the Church. Until now, only archbishops were named cardinals in India. He added that the elevation of 51-year-old Koovakad is “a global recognition of the Syro-Malabar Church,” the second largest Eastern rite Church with 35 dioceses in India and abroad. Koovakad is part of the Vatican’s diplomatic corps and is responsible for organizing papal trips. According to Church sources, he is expected to continue with the Holy See. Currently, India has four cardinals, but all of them stay in their home dioceses. Koovakad’s elevation “is a great recognition for the Indian Church to have one more cardinal, especially based in the Vatican,” said Father Robinson Rodrigues, spokesperson of the national bishops’ conference.
Rodrigues told on Oct. 8 that Koovakad can play “a vital role” in protecting the interests of the Indian Church. Koovakad joined the Vatican diplomatic service in 2006 and served in the nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela before being tasked with organizing papal trips.