Kakkanad: Mar Raphael Thattil, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, appointed Mar Thomas Tharayil, the Archbishop of Changanacherry and Mar Prince Antony Panengadan, the Bishop of Shamshabad. They were elected to the new Offices by the III Session of the XXXII Synod of Bishops held at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, from August 19 to 31, 2024. This appointment was formally announced at noon Italian time on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Vatican, at 3.30 pm Indian time at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad.

The Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil announced the appointment at a public meeting held at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad. The Major Archbishop's letter, appointing Mar Thomas Tharayil as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry, was read by Fr. Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, the Major Archiepiscopal Chancellor. The letter appointing Mar Prince Antony Panengadan as the Bishop of the eparchy of Shamshabad was read by Fr. Joseph Mattathil, the Major Archiepiscopal Vice-Chancellor. The Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil handed over the appointment letters to Mar Thomas Tharayil and Mar Prince Antony Panengadan and then garlanded them. Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the outgoing Metropolitan of Changanacherry and Bishop Mar Joseph Kollamparampil, the Administrator of Shamshabad, presented bouquets to Mar Thomas Tharayil and Mar Prince Antony Panengadan respectively. Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, member of the Permanent Synod and the Bishop of the Eparchy of Palai felicitated the newly appointed Bishops. The Bishops attending the Synod and priests and religious of the Curia were present at the ceremony.

Mar Thomas Tharayil is appointed Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry following the retirement of Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, at the completion of 75 years. As Mar Raphael Thattil, the former Bishop of Shamshabad was elected the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Mar Prince Antony Panengadan is appointed the Bishop of Shamshabad.

Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil was born on February 2, 1972, as the seventh son of T.J. Joseph and Mariamma at the Cathedral parish in the Archeparchy of Changanacherry. He attended school in Changanacherry and pursued further studies at S.B College, Changanacherry. He started his priestly formation at St. Thomas Minor Seminary , Kurichy, and he pursued philosophical and theological studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor. He was ordained a priest on January 1, 2000, in the Great Jubilee Year, by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil. Later, he completed successfully doctorate in Psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has served as Assistant Vicar at Athirampuzha, Nedumkunnam, Edathua, and as Vicar Administrator at Thazhathu Vadakara. He was also the Director of Danahalaya, Institute of Formation in Punnapra, Alappuzha. In addition, he has taught at various Major Seminaries and Institutes. Fr. Thomas Tharayil was elected the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry and was ordained Bishop on April 23, 2017. Mar Thomas Tharayil has written a few books on Psychology. He is proficient in Malayalam, English, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Bishop Antony Prince Panengadan was born on March 13, 1977, as the second son of P.J. Devassy and A. M. Kochuthressia. His family hails from St. Antony's Church, Arimpoor, in the Archeparchy of Trichur. After completing his school education, he joined CMI Congregation. After the novitiate, he left the congregation to join the Eparchy of Adilabad. He completed his philosophical formation at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, and his theological formation at Ruhalaya, Ujjain. He was ordained priest on April 25, 2007. After his ordination, Fr. Panengadan served in the Eparchy as Assistant Parish Priest at the Cathedral Parish and Parish Priest at Mary Matha Church, Saligaon. He obtained Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome. After returning, he served in various capacities in the Eparchy of Adilabad. He was appointed the second Bishop of the Eparchy of Adilabad in 2015 and was consecrated and installed as Bishop of Adilabad on October 25, 2015. He is fluent in Malayalam, English, Telugu, Italian and German.

The dates of installations of Mar Thomas Tharayil to the Office of the Archbishop of Changanacherry and Mar Prince Antony Panengadan to the Office of the Bishop of Shamshabad will be intimated later.