Kakkanad: Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has appointed Fr. Alex Tharamangalam as the auxiliary bishop of the eparchy of Mananthavady; Fr. Joseph Kollamparambil and Fr. Thomas Padiyath, as auxiliary bishops of the eparchy of Shamshabad. Prior to their election in the Second Session of the XXX Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, the assent of the Holy Father was obtained through the Apostolic Nuncio. The Syro-Malabar Media Commission issued a circular today regarding this appointment.

The announcement of the bishops designate took place at a ceremony held on Thursday, August 25, 2022, the closing day of the Synod of Bishops. Since Fr. Alex Tharamangalam, the auxiliary bishop elect for the eparchy of Mananthavady is in Germany, he could not be present on the occasion. Fr. Joseph Kollamparambil and Fr.Thomas Padiyath, the auxiliary bishops designate for the eparchy of Shamshabad were given the insignia by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry together with Mar Raphael Thattil, the bishop of the eparchy of Shamshabad. The date of the Episcopal ordination of bishops designate will be announced later. With them, the total number of retired bishops and those in ministry in the Syro-Malabar Church is raised to 65.

Fr. Alex Tharamangalam, a priest from the Archeparchy of Thalassery was born in 1958. He began his priestly formation in the Minor Seminary at Thalassery in 1973 and was ordained a priest on January 1, 1983. Fr. Tharamangalam served in various parishes of the Archeparchy of Thalassery. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Gregorian University, Rome. Apart from his pastoral ministry in various fields, he also served as a Professor, Vice Rector and Rector at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. The bishop designate is fluent in Italian and German languages. He has published philosophical books and numerous articles. He served as the Syncellus of the Archeparchy of Thalassery from 2016 to 2022. The new assignment came to him while he is serving as vicar in the parish of Madathil in the Archeparchy.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Kollamparambil, a priest from the Eparchy of Palai, is appointed auxiliary bishop of the eparchy of Shamshabad. He was born in 1955 and began his priestly training at the minor seminary of the eparchy of Palai. He was ordained a priest on December 18, 1981. Fr. Kollamparambil served in various parishes in the eparchy of Palai. Havinmg secured a Master’s Degree from St. Thomas College, Palai, Fr. Kollamparambil served as a lecturer, bursar and warden of the hostel at St. Thomas College. From 2003 to 2011 he was the Principal of St. George College, Aruvithura. He also served as Senate Member and Syndicate Member of Mahatma Gandhi University. He was a member of various Canonical bodies of the eparchy of Palai and served the eparchy as Syncellus. At present he is working as Syncellus for Gujarat Mission area in the eparchy of Shamshabad.

Rev. Fr. Thomas Padiyath, a priest from the Archeparchy of Changanacherry is appointed auxiliary bishop of the eparchy of Shamshabad. Born in 1969, Fr. Padiyath entered into the minor seminary in 1984 and was ordained a priest on December 29, 1994. The bishop designate served as Asst. Vicar in Athirampuzha parish and as Secretary to Archbishop Joseph Powathil. Fr. Padiyath holds a doctorate in philosophy and a Master's Degree in theology from the University of Leuven, Belgium. Apart from English, he is also fluent in German language. He was a Professor at Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kunnoth and has been teaching in various Major Seminaries and Institutions. He is currently serving as Syncellus in the Archeparchy of Changanacherry while being assigned the Episcopal ministry.

Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has accepted the resignation of Mar Jacob Muricken, Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Palai. On August 16, 2022 Bishop Jacob Muricken submitted his resignation and with the consent of the Permanent Synod the Major Archbishop accepted the same. Although Mar Muricken had expressed his inner desire to pursue monastic life since 2017, taking also into account the directive of the Apostolic See, he was asked to continue his Episcopal ministry. However, Bishop Muricken submitted his resignation to the Major Archbishop in accordance with the canonical norms, reiterating his demand to be relieved from the Office of the Auxiliary Bishop of Palai to embrace monastic life. The decision of the Major Archbishop to accept the resignation of Bishop Muricken was informed to the Apostolic See. The Dicastery for the Eastern Churches communicated that the resignation would come into effect on August 25, 2022.