Pope Francis has erected a new Apostolic Exarchate for Syro-Malabar Catholics in Canada. The Holy Father also nominated Father Jose Kalluvelil, a priest from the Eparcy of Palghat, as its first Exarch.
An Apostolic Exarchate is established, along with an appointed bishop, over a group of faithful not yet large enough or organized enough to be constituted an eparchy or diocese.
The new Exarchate extends throughout Canada where Syro-Malabar Catholics have made their home since the 1960s.
According to the Holy See Press Office, there an estimated 9,000 Syro-Malabar Catholics in Canada, including 15 priests, of which 3 belong to religious orders.
The Holy See also stated that the seat of the Apostolic Exarchate will be in Mississauga, near Toronto.
