Cardinal George Alencherry, also known as Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, is a prominent figure in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church who late in his episcopal career became embroiled in financial and liturgical disputes.

Born on 19 April 1945 in Thuruthy, in the archdiocese of Changanacherry, India, he is the sixth of ten children to Philipose and Mary Alencherry. His baptismal name is Geevarghese.

Alencherry attended St. Mary’s School in Thuruthy for his primary education and St. Berchman’s High School in Changanacherry for his secondary education. He entered the archdiocesan minor seminary at Parel, Changanacherry, in 1961 and later studied at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary in Aluva. His academic achievements include a BA in economics from St. Berchman’s College, a master’s degree from the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, and a doctorate in biblical theology from Sorbonne University. He also specialized in catechetics at the Catholic Institute in Paris.

Alencherry was ordained a priest on 18 December 1972 by Cardinal Antony Padiyara.

His early roles included serving as vicar of the filial church at Periyarmugham and as assistant vicar at the Cathedral Church of Changanacherry. He also served as the director of the Archdiocesan Faith Formation Department, secretary of the Commission for Catechism of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), and deputy secretary of the KCBC. In addition to his pastoral duties, Alencherry was a professor at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor until 1997 and served as protosyncellus (vicar general) of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry from 1994 to 1996.

On 11 November 1996, Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Thuckalay, and Alencherry was appointed its first bishop. He was ordained bishop on 2 February 1997. Later, on 24 May 2011, Alencherry was elected Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church by its synod, succeeding Varkey Vithayathil. He became the first head of the Syro-Malabar Church to be elected by its synod. In recognition of his leadership, Pope Benedict XVI created Alencherry a cardinal on 18 February 2012, granting him the title of San Bernardo alle Terme.

Over the years, Cardinal Alencherry has held several prominent roles. He served as secretary of the Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops, chairman of the Commission for Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church. He also participated in key Vatican events, including the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, as well as the 2014 and 2015 Vatican Synods on the Family. Academically, Alencherry is proficient in Malayalam, Tamil, English, and French, and has authored a book titled “Morality Today and Tomorrow” in Malayalam.

In 2023, Cardinal Alencherry became embroiled in a significant liturgical dispute within the Syro-Malabar Church. The Church’s synod, under his leadership, decided to standardize the celebration of Mass, which faced opposition from clergy and laity who preferred the existing practice of celebrating Mass facing the people. This conflict escalated into a major crisis, leading to protests, public boycotts, and even violence in churches. The dispute became so severe that the Vatican intervened, appointing an apostolic administrator for Alencherry’s diocese, although he formally remained the archbishop.

Another major controversy involving Cardinal Alencherry began in 2016, surrounding a land deal that led to allegations of cheating, breach of trust, and conspiracy. The cardinal was implicated in the scandal but denied any wrongdoing. In March 2023, the Supreme Court of India dismissed his plea to quash the criminal cases against him, and the case remains ongoing.

Cardinal George Alencherry resigned as Major Archbishop on 7 December 2023, citing health reasons. His tenure has been marked by both significant achievements and challenges, reflecting his influential role in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.