Catholics Hail Election Of First Dalit To Head Indian Bishops’ Body

By Michael Gonsalves

(UCA News) -- Church leaders in India have hailed the election of a cardinal from the socially poor Dalit community to head the Catholic bishops’ national body, calling it a historic move.

Cardinal Poola Anthony, the archbishop of Hyderabad, was elected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) at its 37th General Body Meeting on Feb. 7 in southern Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) city. 

Poola, 64, becomes the first Dalit prelate...