Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Mumbai elevated as Cardinal

Archbishop Oswald Gracias (63) of the Archdiocese of Bombay was appointed as Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican, yesterday.

Archbishop Gracias, who has been the tenth Cardinal of India, is one of 23 new cardinals who will be elevated to their new ecclesiastical rank at a consistory, or special meeting of cardinals, including assisting the pope in governing the Universal Catholic Church.

Presently Archbishop Gracias is the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and the Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications.

Commenting on his appointment, the Archbishop said, "This is an opportunity to better fulfill the divine service but also an honor, serving the Church, and assisting the Pope.”

“I am very hopeful for India and Asia. I hope I can be a better instrument and achieve my goals to the maximum,” added the Archbishop who will be will be elevated to the dignity of cardinal in the next consistory on November 24.

Archbishop Gracias was born in Mumbai on Christmas Eve 1944. He was ordained priest in the same diocese on December 20, 1970; appointed by John Paul II auxiliary bishop of Mumbai in 1997; and on June 28, 2000, became archbishop of Agra.

On December 14 of last year he replaced Cardinal Ivan Dias at the helm of the archdiocese of Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Sajan George, President of Global Council of Indian Christians felicitated Archbishop Oswald Gracias for being elevated as Cardinal of India.

"Cardinal Oswald Gracias is a Blessing to the Christian Community of India," said the Christian leader.