Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-14/2017                                                              10th October, 2017

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminences, Graces, Excellencies,

In the light of the Communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I wish to inform you that His Holiness Pope Francis has erected the Syro-Malabar Eparchies of Shamshabad and Hosur, and has appointed as its first Bishops, respectively, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Raphael Thattil, till now Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur and Rev. Fr. Sebastian (Jobby) Pozholiparampil, of the clergy of Irinjalakuda.

At the same time the Holy Father has extended the boundaries of the Eparchies of Ramanathapuram and Thuckalay.

These provisions were made public in Rome on Tuesday, 10th October, 2017, at noon local time, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time, together with a Letter of the Holy Father.

His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Raphael Thattil was born on 21st April, 1956, was ordained Priest on 21st December, 1980 and consecrated Titular Bishop of Buruni and Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur on 10th April, 2010. He was appointed Apostolic Visitator of the Syro-Malabars residing in India outside the territorium proprium on 11th January, 2014.

Rev. Fr. Sebastian (Jobby) Pozholiparampil was born on 1st September, 1957 at Pullur, in the Diocese of Irinjalakuda. After his school education, he joined the St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope, Trichur, and had his philosophical and theological formation at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He was ordained Priest on 22nd December, 1982. He holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Angelicum, Rome. He served the Eparchy as Asst. Parish Priest at Aloor, and Parish Priest at Kaipamangalam, East Chendrappini, Cheelor, Padiyoor, Meladoor, Parappukara Forane, Thottipal and Cathedral Church. He was Rector of the Spirituality Centre, Eparchial Finance Officer, Vice Rector of the Minor Seminary, Director of Santisadanam, Director of Legion of Mary and Secretary of the Presbyteral Council. Presently, Syncellus of the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda and Rector of St. Paul’s Minor Seminary and Vocation promoter. He was formerly the Coordinator of Chennai Mission.

We congratulate the Syro-Malabar Church for two new Eparchies and rejoice with them. We send our prayerful greetings and best wishes to Bishop Raphael Thattil and Fr. Sebastian (Jobby) Pozholiparampil and assure them of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration to the Syro-Malabar Church.

       Yours Sincerely in Our Lord,

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX

Secretary General, CBCI