London: Dr Kuriakose Mar Osthathios has officially taken charge as the Apostolic Visitor for the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in Europe. The solemn enthronement ceremony was held at the SPAL Center in Leicester, known as Mar Ivanios Nagar. Major Archbishop Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis led the ceremony, which included Holy Mass, a formal welcome for guests, the installation rite and a public gathering.
This appointment is considered an important milestone for the Syro Malankara Catholic community in Europe, as the number of faithful in the region continues to grow. Church leaders hope the new structure will strengthen spiritual formation, pastoral care and community identity among the diaspora.
Bishop Osthathios was born on March 27 1962 in Amayannoor, Kottayam, Kerala. He is a member of St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church in Amayannoor under the Thiruvalla Archeparchy. He was ordained a priest in 1987 by the late Benedict Mar Gregorios. Since 2021, he has been serving as the regional coordinator of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in the United Kingdom.
He holds a postgraduate degree and doctorate in liturgical theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. His academic and pastoral contributions include serving as a professor at Malankara Major Seminary in Thiruvananthapuram from 2001 to 2020 and as visiting professor at seminaries in Kottayam and Kannoth Good Shepherd Seminary. He also served as rector of the Major Seminary from 2017 to 2020.
In the Thiruvalla Archeparchy, he previously held roles including Chancellor, Director of Faith Formation programs and Secretary of the Liturgical Commission. Until his appointment as bishop, he was also serving as vicar of Coventry and Plymouth parishes in the United Kingdom.
Church representatives and community members attended the ceremony, celebrating the beginning of a new chapter for the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in Europe. Many expressed hope that the move will help unify communities and provide stronger leadership for future generations.
The office of the Apostolic Visitor will now guide the formation of parish structures, priest assignments, catechism programs and spiritual support for families across the European region.