Who Is George Alencherry? Age, Biography and Wiki
George Alencherry was born on April 19, 1945, making him 79 years old as of 2025. As a prominent figure in the religious world, he has served as the Head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church from 2011 until 2023. He is widely respected for his leadership and dedication to the church and its community.
Alencherry hails from India and has played a significant role in promoting the Syro-Malabar tradition both at home and abroad. His journey in the church has been marked by significant contributions to ecumenical dialogue and social justice initiatives.
| Occupation | Cat |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1945 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Thuruthy, Travancore, British India |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | India |
Popularity
George Alencherry's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding George Alencherry's height and weight are not publicly disclosed, he is known to have a dignified presence, which complements his role within the church. His stature reflects the humility and respect that he commands among his peers and followers.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
George Alencherry has dedicated his life to serving the Catholic Church and does not publicly disclose information about a boyfriend, girlfriend, or marital status. As a Catholic bishop, he leads a celibate life as part of his commitments to the church.
In 2011, Alencherry called for the erection of "a territorial jurisdiction covering the whole territory of India" so the Syro-Malabar Church could serve its growing communities in India's largest cities. He called it "one of our appeals to the Holy Father" and presented an argument based on colonialist usurpation of ancient rights.
He said: "We believe it is our right. Before the arrival of Western missionaries – the Portuguese arrived in the sixteenth century – the jurisdiction of us 'Catholic Christians among St Thomas' was extended to all of India.
Then the Western missionaries, because of the influence of European monarchs, took jurisdiction of India, restricting ours to the areas where we were more concentrated." Pope Francis responded in October 2017 with the creation of the Eparchy of Shamshabad to encompass all the areas of India not otherwise included within the jurisdiction of an exist
ing eparchy.
The new eparchy's inauguration in 2018 was greeted as "a historic victory" and in December 2020 it was made a suffragan of Alencherry's archeparchy.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, George Alencherry's net worth is estimated to be in the range of several million dollars. His earnings primarily stem from his position within the church, along with various investments and contributions to religious initiatives. However, exact figures regarding his salary and net worth fluctuate based on the church’s financial disclosures and related charitable activities.
In April 2019, the Kakkanad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court filed a criminal complaint against Alencherry for breaches of the law and massive disparities in the church's land agreements.
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court ruled on 24 August 2019 that Alencherry, along with the former financial officer of the archdiocese and a real estate agent will face charges.
The Joseph Injodey commission, which was created by apostolic administrator bishop Jacob Manathodath to investigate the property dealings, submitted its findings in March 2019 to Bishop Manathodath, who would forward it to Cardinal Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches in Rome.
The Income Tax Department fined the Syro-Malabar Church's archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly Rs 3 crore for the contentious land purchases that occurred between April 2013 and March 2018.
During the investigation, the department discovered that there were attempts to avoid tax in the land sale, and the plots were registered for lower amounts while the sale was done for greater amounts. Bishop Antony Kariyil of Mandya was then appointed as the episcopal vicar of the major archbishop and given the personal title "archbishop".
Alencherry returned to the helm of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese on 27 June 2019, after the Vatican terminated the appointment of apostolic administrator.
Career, Business and Investments
George Alencherry’s career has been deeply rooted in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, where he has held various positions, culminating in his role as the head of the church until 2023. His tenure was characterized by efforts to expand the church's reach and influence, both nationally and internationally.
Additionally, Alencherry is involved in various philanthropic endeavors and has an interest in investments that align with community building and social service. He has been influential in initiating programs aimed at improving education and healthcare in the regions served by the church.
George Alencherry (born 19 April 1945) is the Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church after serving in the position from 2011 to 2023. He is also a cardinal of the Catholic Church.
Social Network
George Alencherry is not particularly active on social media like some other celebrities, given his role and the traditions of the clergy. However, the Syro-Malabar Church maintains various social media accounts that keep followers informed about church activities, news, and community initiatives.
In 1992, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was elevated to the status of a major archiepiscopal church with Ernakulam as the primatal see. In 1999, the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church led by its then-Major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil, drew up a formula of rubric (50:50) by incorporating the views of both factions.
The new pattern of Mass celebration came to be known as the Synodal Form with pre-Anaphoral and post-Anaphoral part in versus populum and the Anaphora celebrated ad orientem. However the formula was rejected by the priests and laities of some dioceses, starting from that of Jacob Thoomkuzhy.
Major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil himself was forced to sign dispensation in his archdiocese, Ernakulam-Angamaly.
Education
Alencherry’s educational background includes theological studies, which have equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches in the world. His dedication to lifelong learning has allowed him to address contemporary social issues from a theological perspective, further solidifying his reputation as a thoughtful and progressive leader in the church.
In conclusion, George Alencherry continues to be a pivotal figure within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, with a legacy marked by dedication, leadership, and a focus on community service. As he reaches the milestone age of 80, his influence and contributions continue to resonate within the church and among his followers.
Geevarghese is his baptismal name. Alencherry attended primary school at St Mary's School in Thuruthy and then St. Berchman's High School in Changanacherry. In 1961 he entered the archdiocesan minor seminary at Parel, Changanacherry. While he studied there, he obtained his bachelor's degree in economics from St. Berchmans College in Changanacherry.
He completed his philosophy and theology studies at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary in Aluva.
