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Cardinal George Alencherry of the Archdiocese of Ernakulan-Angamaly, India, visited St. Peter Church in Pine Bluff Sept. 5. The visit coincided with the parish's 110th anniversary, being observed this year.
The cardinal’s visit, an adjunct to a business trip to Washington, D.C., was precipitated by an invitation from pastor Father Anil Thomas, SVD, with the assistance of Father Thomas’ uncle, Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara, of Nagpur, India, a friend of the cardinal.
During his visit, Cardinal Alencherry was honored at a Mass attended by parishioners and diocesan and civic leaders. Pine Bluff native Msgr. David LeSieur, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, concelebrated the Mass and represented Bishop Anthony B. Taylor in welcoming the cardinal. Bishop Taylor could not attend the Mass but met with the cardinal later that day.
Cardinal Alencherry voted in the last conclave and challenged Catholics to emulate Pope Francis’ example. “Everyone is excited about our new pope,” he said in his brief homily. “But are we getting humble like him? His style has become his message.”
