Process for the preparation of an oxidic catalyst composition consisting of one or more trivalent metals preferably aluminum, one or more divalent metals preferably magnesium and more than 18 wt% of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, phosphorus compounds, and transition metal compounds, which process comprises the steps of preparing a precursor mixture consisting of (i) or more trivalent metal compounds, (ii) one or more divalent metal compounds, (iii) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, and transition metal compounds, and (iv) optionally water, which precursor mixture is not a solution. The resulting oxidic catalyst composition is suitable as a metal trap and SOx sorbent FCC processes.