In the light of the Communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I wish to inform you that the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, gathered at Mount St. Thomas, Kerala, having received prior Papal Assent according to CCEO can. 184, canonically elected to the office of
1. Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Trichur, Rev. Fr. Tony Neelankavil, till now Rector of Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur. The Auxiliary Bishop-Elect has been assigned the Titular See of Masuccaba.
2. Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Tellicherry, Rev. Fr. Joseph Pamplany, till now Secretary of the Doctrinal Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church. The Auxiliary Bishop-elect has been assigned the Titular See of Numluli.
3. Curia Bishop Rev. Fr. Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, of the clergy of Kanjirapally, till now Vice Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia. The Auxiliary Bishop-Elect has been assigned the Titular See of Troina.
These ecclesiastical provisions were made public in Rome on Friday, 1st September, 2017, at noon local time, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.
The following is the Biodata of the new Bishops, as received from the Apostolic Nunciature:
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1. Rev. Fr. Tony Neelankavil was born on 23rd July, 1967, at Valappad, in the Archeparchy of Trichur. After the school studies, he joined Trichur Minor Seminary in 1984. He had his Philosophy and Theology course from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor (1986-1993). He was ordained Priest on 27th December, 1993. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Ollur (1994-95) and Palayur (1995). Then he was sent for higher studies in Leuven, Belgium, where he took Licentiate in 1997 and Doctorate in Theology in 2002. He joined as Professor at Marymatha Major Seminary in 2002 and served the Seminary as Animator, Dean of Studies, Lecturer of Systematic Theology, Director of Mary Matha Publications, Spiritual Father, etc. He served the Archeparchy of Trichur as member of Theological Commission, Chaplain of different formation centres and convents, member of Presbyteral Council, etc. He was the Pro-Vicar of Manjakkunnu (2003-2005) and Priest-in-charge of Nadampadam Station Church (2012-2014). From March 2017 he is the Rector of Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur. He is also member of the Theology Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church and of the Liturgical Research Centre. He was also member of CBCI Bishops-Theologians Colloquium. He is proficient in Malayalam, English and German. |
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2. Rev. Fr. Joseph Pamplany was born on 11th December, 1969, at Charal in the Archeparchy of Tellicherry. After the school studies, and completing his pre degree at Nirmalagiri College, Kuthuparamba, he joined St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Tellicherry (1986-1988). He did his philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye (1988-97). He was ordained Priest on 30th December, 1997. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Peravoor (1998-99) and was Parish Priest at Deepagiri (1999-2001). From 2001-2006 he did his studies on Sacred Scripture and obtained Doctorate from Leuven University, Belgium. On his return, he was appointed Director of Bible Apostolate in the Archeparchy from 2006 onward. He is the Founder Director of Alpha Institute of Theology from 2007 onward. He is member of the Consulters’ Body of the Archeparchy and of the Administrative Council. He is Secretary of the Doctrinal Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church, KCBC and CBCI. He is also member of the Doctrinal Commission of FABC. He is visiting professor of Holy Scripture in different major Seminaries and Institutes. He is proficient in Malayalam, English, German and French. |
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3. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Vaniyapurackal was born on 29th March, 1967, at Mulamkunnu, in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally. After his school education he joined the eparchial Minor Seminary and had his philosophical and theological formation in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He was ordained Priest on 30th December, 1992. After ordination he served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. George Forane Church, Kattappana (1993-1995) and Director of Yuvadeepti, Eparchy of Kanjirapally (1995-2000), Vicar of St. Mary’s Church, Pazhaya Koratty (1998-99). Later he was sent to Rome for higher studies (2000-2005), where he took his Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from the Holy Cross University, Rome. After his return, he served as Judge of the Eparchial Tribunal, Kanjirapally (from 2005), Vicar, St. Thomas Church, Poomattam (2005-2009), Judicial Vicar (2006-2014), Vicar, St. George Church, Chennakunnu (2009-2012), and Vicar, Infant Jesus Church, Mulamkunnu (2012-2014). From September 2014, he has been serving as Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Vice Chancellor. |
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We wish the new Bishops all God’s blessings and assure them and the Syro-Malabar Church of our prayers,
Yours Sincerely in Our Lord,
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX
Secretary General, CBCI