Ollur: Sebastian Francis, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, has been appointed as Malaysia’s cardinal by Pope Francis. The bishop belongs to the Mechery family in Kerala's Thrissur district. Interestingly, he is the first-ever bishop from Thrissur to be appointed as a cardinal. 

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur Andrews Thazath had passed on the information upon his arrival at Ollur St. Antony’s Forane Church on Sunday evening. 

However, the bishop and his family had moved out of Ollur several years ago. But his family members continue to live at the place. Sebastian Francis had spent his days as a student in Chennai. He had visited Ollur a few years ago.