Mar Cleemis leaves for Vatican

Cardinal-designate Baselios Mar Cleemis, Archbishop and Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, left for Vatican in the wee hours of Monday, for his consecration as Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November 24.  Before leaving, Mar Cleemis went to Carmel Ashram and took the blessings and advice of  Fr Bardeen, his spiritual guru, after submitting his confession.

 He also offered prayers before the tombs of his predecessors at the Pattom St Mary’s Cathedral and the chapel in his place of  stay. He is all set to create history as the first Cardinal of  the Syro-Malankara Catholic church.  After the consecration ceremonies, the Cardinal is expected to be back here on  November 30.