Kottayam: Rev. Fr Thomas Animoottil has been elected auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam following his election by the Synod of Bishops of the Syro Malabar Church.
The appointment was announced on Thursday at noon in the Vatican and at 3.30 pm at Mount St Thomas, Kakkanad, where the Second Session of the XXXIV Synod of the Syro Malabar Church is being held. The session began on August 17, 2026.
Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil announced the appointment during a general assembly at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro Malabar Church. Rev. Fr Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, the Major Archiepiscopal Chancellor, read the decree of appointment issued by the Major Archbishop.
Following the announcement, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil and Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kottayam, presented the episcopal insignia to Bishop elect Thomas Animoottil.
The Auxiliary Bishops of Kottayam, Mar Joseph Pandarasseril and Geevarghese Mar Aphrem, presented bouquets and felicitated him. Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kalyan, delivered the felicitation address.
The Bishop elect then delivered his response. The gathering concluded with prayers and a blessing from the Major Archbishop, followed by greetings from the Synod Fathers and members of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia who were present.
Fr Thomas Animoottil was born on January 13, 1962, to the late Joseph and Eli. His family belongs to St Anne's Parish, Payyavoor, in the Archeparchy of Kottayam.
After completing his schooling, he entered the Minor Seminary of the Archeparchy of Kottayam. He pursued his philosophical and theological formation at St Joseph's Seminary in Mangalore and was ordained a priest by Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry on April 13, 1989.
After his priestly ordination, Fr Animoottil served as vicar of Pulinjal parish before going to Rome for higher studies. He obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
He later pursued advanced studies in Clinical Pastoral Education in Los Angeles in the United States. He also served as vicar of Uzhavoor and Kaduthuruthy parishes.
During his priestly ministry, Fr Animoottil has held several important pastoral and administrative responsibilities. These have included serving as secretary to Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry, procurator and chancellor of the Archeparchy, director of the Barmariam Pastoral Centre in Kannur, notary of the Archeparchial Tribunal, director of Caritas Hospital and secretary of the Archeparchial Presbyteral Council.
He is currently serving as Pro Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Kottayam. He is proficient in English and Italian.
The Archeparchy of Kottayam has a historic connection with the Knanaya Catholic community and serves a community with a significant presence in Kerala and among its diaspora in other countries.
With his election, Fr Animoottil is set to become the third auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam, alongside Mar Joseph Pandarasseril and Geevarghese Mar Aphrem. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kottayam.
The date of the episcopal ordination of Bishop elect Thomas Animoottil will be announced later.