Thiruvananthapuram: The Malankara Catholic Church has officially announced the appointment of Most Rev. Dr. John Kuttyil as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Thiruvananthapuram Malankara Catholic Archdiocese. The declaration was made during the 95th anniversary celebrations of the Malankara Reunion Movement held at Mar Ivanios Nagar, Adoor, which also marked the centenary of the episcopal ordination of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the founder of the Reunion Movement.
The appointment was proclaimed in the presence of the Major Archbishop, bishops of the Church, clergy, religious, and a large gathering of the faithful. During the ceremony, Bishops Joshua Mar Ignathios, Joseph Mar Thomas, and Thomas Mar Yausebious vested the new Auxiliary Bishop with the black cassock and presented him with the Cross, symbolizing his episcopal office.
Leaders of the laity also extended their felicitations on the occasion. S. R. Baiju, President of the Malankara Catholic Association, and Gigi Mathai, President of the Mothers’ Forum, offered their congratulations to the newly appointed bishop. The formal episcopal consecration is scheduled to take place on November 22 in Thiruvananthapuram.
Most Rev. Dr. John Kuttyil was born on May 30, 1982, in Kizhaketheruvu. He completed his priestly formation at St. Aloysius Minor Seminary and St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary, later earning a doctorate in Eastern Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He was ordained a priest on April 2, 2008.
Over the years, he has served in various parishes of the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese and held key positions, including Personal Secretary to the Major Archbishop, Rector of the Minor Seminary, Rector of the Basilica of St. Mary Queen of Peace, and Professor at St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary. He has also worked as Secretary of the Synodal Commission for the Call of God, Judge in the Church Tribunal, Parish Vicar of St. John Paul II Church, Nalanchira, and Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
The appointment of Dr. Kuttyil as Auxiliary Bishop is expected to strengthen the leadership of the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese, providing vital support in pastoral care, seminary formation, canonical affairs, and the administration of parishes, as the Archdiocese continues to grow in spiritual and pastoral responsibilities.