This morning (29) Holy Father Pope Francis has handed over the 'pallium to 46 new Metropolitan Archbishops.

 

This year as the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations issued on 12th January, the 'pallium' will be only

 

handed over by the Holy Father and not imposed. The imposition will be done by the Apostolic Nuncio.

 

The pallium is a symbol that shows the communion with the Church of Rome,

and represents the shepherd who carries on his shoulders the sheep and the same time the pastoral

 

responsibility given to Metropolitan Archbishop. The Pallium is made of sheep's wool taken at St. Agnes feast.

 

Pope Francis in His sermon addressing the new Archbishops said: "The Church wants men of faith, prayer,

 

witness".

 

His Holiness further expressed :" the Church does not belong to Popes, bishops, priests, nor the lay faithful;

 

the Church in every moment belongs solely to Christ." " A Church or a Christian who does not give witness is

 

sterile; like a dead person who thinks they are alive; like a dried up tree that produces no fruit; an empty well

 

that offers no water! The Church has overcome evil thanks to the courageous, concrete and humble witness of

 

her children"

 

The newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishop, who received the 'pallium' today were:

 

 

 

1. Cardinal Rainer Maria WOELKI of KOLN, Germany.

 

2. Cardinal Antonio CAÑIZARES LLOVERA of VALENCIA, Spain.

 

3. Archbishop Julian LEOW BENG KIM of KUALA LAMPUR, Malaysia.

 

4. Archbishop Eduardo Eliseo MARTÍN of ROSARIO, Argentina.

 

5. Archbishop Florentino Galang LAVARIAS of SAN FERNANDO, Phillipines.

 

6. Archbishop Anthony PAPPUSAMY of MADURAI, India.

 

7. Archbishop Sevastianos ROSSOLATOS of ATHENS, Greece.

 

8. Archbishop Thomas Aquino Manyo MAEDA of OSAKA, Japan.

 

9. Archbishop Carlos OSORO SIERRA of MADRID, Spain.

 

10. Archbishop Eamon MARTIN of ARMAGH, Ireland.

 

11. Archbishop Anthony Colin FISHER of SYDNEY, Australia.

 

12. Archbishop Blase J. CUPICH of CHICAGO, U.S.A.

 

13. Archbishop Oscar Omar APARICIO CÉSPEDES of COCHABAMBA, Bolivia.

 

14. Archbishop José Antonio FERNANDEZ HURTADO, of DURANGO Mexico.

 

15. Archbishop Stane ZORE, of LJUBLJANA Slovenia.

 

16. Archbishop Djalwana Laurent LOMPO of NIAMEY, Niger.

 

17. Archbishop Vincenzo PELVI of FOGGIA, Italy.

 

18. Archbishop Daniel ALARCÓNURRUTIA of CUZCO, Perù.

 

19. Archbishop Jean MBARGA of YAOUNDE, Camerun.

 

20. Archbishop Edmundo Ponciano VALENZUELA MELLID of ASUNCION, Paraguay.

 

21. Archbishop Beatus KINYAIYA of DODOMA, Tanzania

 

22. Archbishop Max Leroy MÉSIDOR of Cap-Haïtien , Haiti

 

23. Archbishop Kieran O’REILLY, of CASHEL and EMLY ,Irland

 

24. Archbishop Filomeno DONASCIMENTO VIEIRADIAS of LUANDA ,Angola

 

25.Archbishop Martin MUSONDE KIVUVA of MOMBASA ,Kenya

 

26. Archbishop Vicente JIMÉNEZ ZAMORA of ZARAGOSA ,Spain

 

27. Archbishop Benjamin NDIAYE of DAKAR ,Senegal

 

28. Archbishop José Antônio PERUZZO of  CURITIBA ,Brazil

 

29. Archbishop Menghesteab TESFAMARIAM of ASMARA ,Eritrea

 

30. Archbishop Stefan HEßE of HAMBURG ,Germany

 

31. Archbishop Juan nSUE EdJAnG MAYÉ of MALABO, Guinea Equatoriale

 

32. Archbishop Yustinus HARJOSUSANTO of SAMARINDA,Indonesia

 

33. Archbishop Freddy MARTINEZ of SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Rep. Domican

 

34. Archbishop Charles Jude SCICLUNA of MALTA, Malta

 

35. Archbishop David MACAIRE of Fort de France, Martinica.

 

36. Archbishop Alojzij CVIKL of MARIBON, Slovenia.

 

37. Archbishop Fulop KOCSIS of HAJDUDOROG, Ungary.

 

38. Archbishop John Charles WESTER of SANTA FE, U.S.A.

 

39. Archbishop Denis GRONDIN of RIMOUSKI, Canada.

 

40. Archbishop Francescantonio NOI of COSENZA, Italy.

 

41. Archbishop Celso IRUZUBIETA of MERIDA, Spain.

 

42. Archbishop Gustavo VEGA of YUCATAN, Mexico.

 

43. Archbishop - elect Erio CASTELLUCCI of MODENA, Italy

 

44. Archbishop Heiner KOCH of BERLIN, Germany.

 

45. Archbishop Lioginas VIRIBALAS of KAUNAS, Lithuania.

 

46. Archbishop Thomas Ignatus MACWAN of Gandhiragam, India.