In a landmark move reshaping its ecclesiastical landscape, the Syro-Malabar Church has announced the creation of four new archdioceses Faridabad, Ujjain, Kalyan, and Shamshabad while appointing two new bishops and reorganizing multiple diocesan jurisdictions, marking one of the most significant structural reforms in its recent history.
Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Church has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ecclesiastical administration with the creation of four new archdioceses and the appointment of two new bishops. The changes, approved by the Vatican, were finalized during the Thirty-third Synod of Bishops held at the Church headquarters in Kakkanad earlier this month. The official announcements were made simultaneously in Kochi and Rome on August 28.
Four New Archdioceses
The Diocese of Faridabad has been elevated as an Archdiocese, bringing Bijnor and Gorakhpur under its jurisdiction. Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, who has led Faridabad since its inception, will now serve as its first Metropolitan Archbishop.
In central India, Ujjain has also been raised to the rank of Archdiocese, with the dioceses of Sagar, Satna, and Jagdalpur designated as its suffragan dioceses. Bishop Mar Sebastian Vadakkel, the longstanding shepherd of Ujjain, will now lead the newly established metropolitan province.
The Diocese of Kalyan, which ministers to Syro-Malabar Catholics in Maharashtra, has likewise been elevated to Archdiocesan status. Chanda and Rajkot will now fall under its jurisdiction. With Bishop Mar Thomas Elavanal retiring upon reaching 75 years, Curia Bishop Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurakkal has been appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kalyan.
Meanwhile, the vast Shamshabad Diocese, created in 2017 to extend the Syro-Malabar Church’s reach across India, has been upgraded to an Archdiocese with Adilabad as its suffragan diocese. Archbishop Mar Prince Antony Panengadan has been entrusted with its leadership. In addition, the Diocese of Hosur in Tamil Nadu has been brought under the ecclesiastical province of Thrissur as a suffragan diocese.
New Episcopal Appointments
Rev. James Patteril C.M.F. has been appointed Bishop of Balthangady, succeeding Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhi, who resigned due to health reasons. Born in 1942 in Balthangady, he joined the Claretian congregation in 1980 and was ordained a priest in 1990. Having completed postgraduate studies in Pastoral Theology from Freiburg, Germany, and serving as Provincial Procurator of the Claretian Würzburg Province, he brings decades of pastoral and administrative experience. Fluent in multiple languages including Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, English, and German, he has also been active in ministering to Syro-Malabar faithful in Germany.
Rev. Joseph Thachaparambath C.M.I. has been named Bishop of Adilabad. Born in 1969 in Idukki, he joined the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) congregation and was ordained in 1997 after completing studies at Dharmaram College, Bangalore. He has served in several parishes of Chanda Diocese and held key positions in diocesan finance, education, and administration. Since 2023, he has served as Provincial Superior of Chanda Marthoma Province. Alongside his pastoral duties, he is pursuing doctoral research in Rajasthan and is fluent in Malayalam, Telugu, and English.