Melbourne - Cardinal Mar George Alencherry ordained Mar John Panamthottathil as the second Bishop of St. Thomas Eparchy of the Syro-Malabar Church, Melbourne today. The atmosphere was filled with prayers and hymns, making it a blessed moment for the Keralite Syro-Malabar Community. Mar Panamthottathil was consecrated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
The solemn installation of the new bishop holds great significance as it will continue the spiritual legacy of the Syro-Malabar community on Australian soil. It aims to uphold the liturgy, lifestyle, and traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church among the expatriate faithful.
The consecration ceremony took place at Our Lady Guardian of Plants Chaldean Catholic Parish in Campbellfield, Melbourne, at 5 pm local time. Around thirty bishops and the entire clergy of the Diocese of Melbourne were present for the solemn event. The ceremony drew over a thousand faithful, marking a historic moment that showcased the strength of the rapidly growing Syro-Malabar Community in Australia.
The rites commenced with a procession. Mar Bosco Puthur extended a warm welcome to the congregation. Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, read the papal decree appointing Panamthottathil as the new Bishop.
In his address, Cardinal Mar Alencherry acknowledged the contributions of Mar Bosco Puthur, the first bishop of the Diocese of Melbourne, and expressed gratitude for his strong foundation. The Cardinal also praised Mar Bosco Puthur's decision to involve lay faithful in critical administrative functions of the diocese, which serves as an inspiration to the Church. He extended good wishes to Mar Bosco Puthur for his future leadership.
Cardinal Mar Alencherry paid tribute to the late Cardinal George Pell and the Bishops' Committee of Australia for their assistance in establishing the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne for the expatriate faithful in Australia.
Given the increasing importance of pastoral mission among immigrants in Australia, Cardinal Mar Alencherry expressed hope that the new Bishop, Mar John Panamthottathil, would effectively pass on the faith traditions and liturgical heritage of the Church to the faith community in Australia.
The ceremony and Holy Qurbana were co-celebrated by Mar Bosco Puthur, Mar Joy Alappat (Bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Chicago), Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil (Bishop of Thamarasserry), and Mar Neelankavil Tony (Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur). The sermon was delivered by Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the Archbishop of Brisbane.
After the consecration services, the other bishops and priests embraced and congratulated Mar John Panamthottathil. Notable attendees included Mar Stephen Chirappanath (Titular Bishop of Slebte & Apostolic Visitator for the Syro-Malabar Faithful in Europe), Mar Jose Chittooparambil (Bishop of Rajkot), Mar Joseph Kollamparampil (Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy Shamshabad), and Mar Neelankavil Tony (Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur).
Additionally, 30 bishops from various dioceses in Oceania and the entire clergy of the Diocese of Melbourne were present. Archbishop Patrick Michael O'Regan (Archbishop of Adelaide), Archbishop Peter Andrew Comensoli (Archbishop of Melbourne), and Archbishop Timothy John Costelloe (Archbishop of Perth) were also present for the ceremony. Devout Syro-Malabar faithful from different parts of Australia also attended the blessed ceremony.