Baselios Cleemis, born Isaac Thottunkal, is the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum and head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. According to his Holy See biography he was born on 25 May 1960 in Nedungadappally, Kerala, and entered the Infant Mary Minor Seminary at Tiruvalla on 10 June 1976; he studied philosophy at St Joseph's Seminary, Alwaye, and theology at the Pontifical Institute in Pune. He was ordained a deacon on 22 March 1986 and a priest on 11 June 1986, and in 1997 he earned a doctorate in ecumenism at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome. He served as a parish priest in the Eparchy of Bathery, then as its chancellor (1997–1998) and vicar general (1998–2001).
On 18 June 2001 he was appointed titular Bishop of Chaialum and Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum, and apostolic visitor for the Syro-Malankara faithful in North America and Europe; he received episcopal ordination on 15 August 2001 and founded the Malankara Catholic Center in New York. On 11 September 2003 he was appointed Bishop of Tiruvalla, and when Benedict XVI raised Tiruvalla to an archeparchy on 15 May 2006 he became its Archbishop. Elected by his Church's Holy Episcopal Synod on 8 February 2007, he was raised to Major Archbishop on 10 February 2007 and took possession of Trivandrum on 5 March; as Major Archbishop-Catholicos he presides over the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church.
Benedict XVI created him a cardinal in the consistory of 24 November 2012, assigning him the titular church of San Gregorio VII; he was the first cardinal of the Syro-Malankara Church and at the time the youngest member of the College of Cardinals. He is a member of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches and of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. He served as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India from February 2014 to 2018 and has presided over the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council. He participated as a cardinal elector in the conclaves of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis, and of 2025, which elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
Look at the person, look at his orientation, his ability to be in communion, to speak as a man of peace. That is where our focus should be.
Our task is to bring people together, offer spiritual strength, and act as a voice of conscience
He is a man who is with the people. The last ceremony he participated in was a celebration of faith with the people on Easter
I submitted a memorandum to the home minister to seek justice for the innocent people, request him to ensure such events do not happen in future and to provide safety for everyone in the country
You can't generalize things citing some incidents. If there is a crime, the law of the land should deal with it.
With great joy, we are offering you the Syro-Malankara places of worship to conduct services until you have made your own alternative arrangements
Major Works & Initiatives
Apostolic Visitor to North America and Europe
Appointed on 18 June 2001 as apostolic visitor for Syro-Malankara faithful in North America and Europe alongside his appointment as auxiliary bishop; in New York he founded the Malankara Catholic Center for the diaspora community.
Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum
Elected by the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church and confirmed by Benedict XVI; enthroned on 5 March 2007 as Father and Head of the Church, presiding over its Holy Episcopal Synod.
Member of the Dicasteries for the Oriental Churches and for Interreligious Dialogue
Member of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Oriental Churches and of the Pontifical Council (now Dicastery) for Interreligious Dialogue, to which Benedict XVI appointed him on 31 January 2013.
President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) from February 2014 to 2018; he had been its first vice-president from 2010 to 2013 and later became president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.