New Archbishop to receive ‘Pallium’ today

New Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith will receive the Pallium, a liturgical vestment, symbolising the full Episcopal Office of an Archbishop, from the Pope Benedict XVI, today at 9.30 am in Rome.

The Sovereign Pontiff who will preside at the Eucharistic Concelebrations to mark the feast of Saints Peter and Paul today, along with the 34 newly appointed Archbishops of the metropolitan cities of the respective countries will receive this liturgical vestment from the Pope, which symbolise their full authority over the respective archdioceses.

Pope Paul VI, on July 20, 1978, issuing a document titled Inter Eximia Episcopalis restricted the wearing of Pallium, to the Pontiff and the Archbishops of the Metropolitan Sees.

Pallium is a two inches wide circular band, cloak or upper garment, to be worn around the neck during the Eucharistic celebration.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II, decreed that the liturgical vestment should be made out of the white wool of lambs with front and back pendants, marked with six crosses and be blessed by the Pope on the feast day (January 21) of St. Agnes.