Joseph Kalathiparambil will be ordained as the Metropolitan Archbishop on Sunday

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate a civic reception to Varpauzha Metropolitan Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil at the Ernakulam Town Hall in Kochi on January 9. The reception is organized under the leadership of the Kochi Corporation and others. Joseph Kalathiparambil will be ordained as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the archdiocese on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Archbishop Francis Kallarackkal said that the preparations for the anointment of the metropolitan archbishop-designate Joseph Kalathiparambil was in accordance to tradition. The ordination will be held at the Vallarpadam Basilica Church on Sunday. The archbishop- designate and other dignitaries will be received at the gates of the Vallarpadam Basilica Church, under the leadership of Rector Mon. Joseph Thannikkot.

The Holy Mass in connection with the ordination will be led by Archbishop Francis Kallarackkal. Cardinal George Alenchery, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church will deliver the homily while Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis and Archbishop Sooss Pakiam will offer felicitations. Authorities said adequate preparations have been made for the parking of vehicles.

Big vehicles have to be parked in the football ground opposite Vallarapadam-Panambukad PWD Road, while VIP vehicles should be parked on the west of Rosary Park and other vehicles to the east of Rosary Park. A 250-strong volunteer group will assist the people in parking. The 64-year old Joseph Kalthiparambil, the sixth native to become the Metropolitan Archbishop of Varappuzha archdiocese, is from Vaduthala in Kochi. He was chosen for the post by Pope Francis on October 31, 2016.