Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Karachi, present day Pakistan, Valerian Gracias entered seminary in Mangalore, later pursuing his studies in Kandy, Ceylon and Rome, Italy. Ordained priest in Kandy in October 1926, he served as secretary to the archbishop of Bombay and chancellor of the archdiocese. Establishing a name in local newspapers and reviews as editor of the "Messenger of the Sacred Heart" and co-editor of "The Examiner", Gracias became the first Indian rector of the pro-cathedral of the Holy Name of Bombay in 1941. Appointed auxiliary of the archdiocese of Bombay 1946, he was promoted to the archbishopric four years later following the resignation of Jesuit prelate Thomas Roberts. Pope Pius XII created him cardinal priest with the title of Santa Maria in via Lata in the consistory on January 12, 1953, becoming thus the first Indian to be elevated to the College of Cardinals. President of the Indian Episcopal Conference from 1954 until 1972, during his episcopate, Gracias had his territory developed with the construction of churches, schools, hospitals and the archdiocese itself reorganized. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest distinction by President Radhakrishnan in 1966, he was unable to travel to Rome in order to participate in the conclave which elected Albino Luciani to the papacy due to ill health. He passed away of cancer a fortnight later. A highly renowned orator, Gracias was also a great organizer: the Marian Congress of 1954 and International Eucharistic Congress of 1964, which included the first papal visit to India, were successfully arranged through his personal touch. The Cardinal Gracias Hospital in Bombay in named after him.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Karachi, present day Pakistan, Valerian Gracias entered seminary in Mangalore, later pursuing his studies in Kandy, Ceylon and Rome, Italy. Ordained priest in Kandy in October 1926, he served as secretary to the archbishop of Bombay and chancellor of the archdiocese. Establishing a name in local newspapers and reviews as editor of the "Messenger of the Sacred Heart" and co-editor of "The Examiner", Gracias became the first Indian rector of the pro-cathedral of the Holy Name of Bombay in 1941. Appointed auxiliary of the archdiocese of Bombay 1946, he was promoted to the archbishopric four years later following the resignation of Jesuit prelate Thomas Roberts. Pope Pius XII created him cardinal priest with the title of Santa Maria in via Lata in the consistory on January 12, 1953, becoming thus the first Indian to be elevated to the College of Cardinals. President of the Indian Episcopal Conference from 1954 until 1972, during his episcopate, Gracias had his territory developed with the construction of churches, schools, hospitals and the archdiocese itself reorganized. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest distinction by President Radhakrishnan in 1966, he was unable to travel to Rome in order to participate in the conclave which elected Albino Luciani to the papacy due to ill health. He passed away of cancer a fortnight later. A highly renowned orator, Gracias was also a great organizer: the Marian Congress of 1954 and International Eucharistic Congress of 1964, which included the first papal visit to India, were successfully arranged through his personal touch. The Cardinal Gracias Hospital in Bombay in named after him.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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