KOCHI: Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese apostolic vicar Bishop Anthony Kariyil has resigned following the visit from a delegate in Vatican demanding his resignation.

Vatican delegate Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli reached Kochi on Tuesday and met the Metropolitan Vicar of the Archdiocese, Mar Antony Kariyil. It is reported that Mar Antony Kariyil stepped down after the bishop demanded his resignation as per the instructions issued earlier.

On July 19, Leopoldo Girelli summoned Mar Antony Kariyil to Delhi and gave a letter demanding his resignation. It is also recorded that the Pope and other cardinals have given their permission. According to instructions, after his resignation, he is not allowed to stay in the limits of archdiocese or participate in public gatherings. It is indicated that action was taken against Mar Antony Kariyil for not following the instructions of the Vatican and the Synod for a uniform mode of offering mass.