Shamshabad: Mar Prince Antony Panengadan, a unique shepherd who has won the hearts of Adilabad by entering and leaving every family, is now in his third term of office. He is now in the service of the upper parish of Shamshabad, the largest Catholic diocese in India in terms of area. The new appointment of this Thrissur native is as the successor to Mar Raphael Thattil, the first bishop of the diocese and now the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
In a momentous event that marks a significant milestone for the Catholic community in Shamshabad, Mar Prince Antony Panengadan will officially installed as the new Bishop of Shamshabad during a solemn ceremony from 4pm held today at Saint Mary’s Church Balapur. The installation, which took place at the Saint Mary’s Church in Balapur, will attended by hundreds of faithful, clergy, and dignitaries from across the region, as well as from various dioceses in India and abroad.
The installation ceremony will be presided over by Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church. After the installation, Mar Prince Anthony will offer Holy Mass. CBCI President and Archbishop of Thrissur Mar Andrews will deliver the Biblical Message.
The installation ceremony included several traditional liturgical rites, including the presentation of the pastoral staff, the Episcopal anointing, and the singing of hymns in honor of the new bishop. The choir, composed of members from various parishes in the diocese, filled the air with melodious hymns, creating an atmosphere of reverence and joy.
The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, gathered at Mount St. Thomas, Kerala, having received prior Papal Assent according to CCEO can. 184, canonically elected to the office of Mar Prince Antony Panengadan (48) until present Bishop of the Eparchy of Adilabad election were made public on August 30, 2024.
Bishop Prince Antony Panengadan was born on March 13, 1976, in Arimpur, Archdiocese of Trichur. He was ordained a priest on April 25, 2007, after completing his theological studies at Ruhalay Seminary, Ujjain. He later obtained a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Urbaniana University, Rome. Bishop Panengadan has served as Assistant Parish Priest and priest-in-charge of mission stations in the Eparchy of Adilabad. He was ordained as bishop on October 29, 2015, and today will be officially installed as the Bishop of the Eparchy of Shamshabad.