Kakkanad: Mar Joseph Pamplany has been elected as the Archbishop of Tellicherry Archdiocese and Mar Peter Kochupurackal has been elected as the Bishop of Palghat Diocese. The election was made by the Syro Malabar Synod being held at Mount Saint Thomas, Kakkanad, from January 7, 2022.

The official announcement was made today (Saturday, January 15, 2022) at 12 noon Roman time at Vatican, and at 4.30 pm Indian time at the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Curia in Kakkanad. After the announcement, Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry, Archbishop of Tellicherry Mar George Njaralakatt and Bishop of Palghat Mar Jacob Manathodath felicitated the newly appointed bishops by presenting them bouquets. Bishops, priests, sisters and lay people attending the Syro-Malabar Synod were present during the occasion.

Mar Joseph Pamplany, the Archbishop-designate of Tellicherry Archdiocese, was born at Charal parish, near Iritty in Kannur District, on December 3, 1969 as the 5th of seven children born to Thomas and Mary. He completed his Pre-degree from Nirmalagiri College and his graduation from the University of Kerala.

He joined the Thalassery Minor Seminary for his priestly training in 1988. He then went on to complete his studies in Philosophy and Theology from St Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye. He was ordained a priest by Mar Joseph Valiamattam on December 30, 1997. He served as Assistant Vicar at Peravoor and Vicar at Deepagiri Parishes. He was then sent to Belgium in 2001 to pursue higher studies where he acquired Licentiate and Doctorate in Biblical Studies from the prestigious ‘Université Catholique de Louvain’. In 2006, he returned to India and was appointed as the Director of the Bible Apostolate of Tellicherry Archdiocese.

Bishop Pamplany, the founder of the Alpha Institute of Theology & Science, has served as a visiting professor at the Major Seminaries of Aluva, Vadavathoor, Kunnoth, St Mary’s Thiruvananthapuram and St Peter's Bangalore.

Mar Pamplany, a renowned theologian, preacher and author of many books, has been the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry since November 8, 2017. Besides Malayalam, he is fluent in English, German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Mar Joseph Pamplany has been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mar George Njaralakatt, Archbishop of Tellicherry. Currently he is the Chairman of the Media Commission of both KCBC and Syro Malabar Church.

Mar Peter Kochupurackal, the third Bishop to be appointed to the Diocese of Palghat, was born on May 29, 1964 in Marangoly Parish, Pala Diocese. His parents are the late Mr Mani and Mrs Elikutty. He joined the Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Palghat in 1981 and studied philosophy and theology at St Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 29, 1990, by Mar Joseph Pallikkaparambil.

He served in various parishes in the Diocese of Palghat and also as the President of the Ecclesiastical court, Chancellor of the Diocese, Vicar General of the diocese and Rector of the Minor Seminary. He acquired his Licentiate in Church Law from St Peter's Institute, Bangalore, and Doctorate from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. Besides Malayalam, he is fluent in English, German and Italian. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Palghat on January 15, 2020 and was ordained bishop on June 18, 2020. Mar Peter Kochupurakkal has been appointed to fill the vacancy created on the retirement of Mar Jacob Manathodath, the Diocese of Palghat.

The dates for the ordination of the appointed Archbishop and Bishop will be announced later.