Forty-six bishops of the Syro Malabar Catholic (SMC) Church, the biggest Christian Establishment in south Indian state Kerala, will meet at its headquarters here for a week from Monday to elect the new Major Archbishop.
The post of Major Archbishop fell vacant following the death of Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil last month.
The SMC is a major archie episcopal church under the Catholic fold which enjoys greater autonomy in matters of electing bishops as well as liturgy.
However, this is for the first time that the centuries-old church is given total independence by Vatican to choose its spiritual head.
The Bishops will have the power to elect a Major Archbishop from among themselves or other eligible members of the clergy.
If no one garners a two-thirds majority during the first five rounds of voting, one with the absolute majority will be elected. If no one garners an absolute majority, there would be a face off between the two who secured the highest votes to decide the candidate, church sources said. The new Major Archbishop is expected to be elected by May 29, the sources added.