Changanassery in Kerala, gets new auxiliary bishop

Mangalore Today News Network

Kochi, Jan 18, 2017: The synod of bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, being held at Kakkanad Mount St Thomas since January 9, elected Rev Thomas Tharayil (Tomy) as auxiliary bishop of the Changanassery archdiocese.

The announcement was made on Jan 14 simultaneously at Mount St Thomas, headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church, at 4.30 pm and Vatican at 12 noon (corresponding time).

The appointment order was read out by Major Archiepiscopal Chancellor Rev Antony Kollannur. Syro-MalabarChurch head Cardinal Mar George Alencherry handed over the order to Rev. Thomas.

Archbishop of Changnanassery Mar Joseph Perumthottam presented the bishop-elect with the insignia of episcopacy, while Archbishop Emeritus of Changanassery Joseph Powathil felicitated him with a bouquet.

All the bishops attending the synod were present at the function. Earlier, the bishop-elect had been serving as director of the Danahalaya Institute of Formation at Punnapra, Alappuzha.

A Doctorate in Psychology from the Gregorian University, Rome, the bishop-elect is a well-known retreat preacher and psychologist. He has taught at various major seminaries and institutes, and has written books and articles on Psychology. Besides his mother tongue Malayalam, the bishop-elect is proficient in English, German, Italian and Spanish.

His previous pastoral assignments include Assistant Parish Priest at Athirampuzha, Nedumkunnam and Edathua; and Vicar Administrator at the ThazhathuVadakara parish.

Born on February 2, 1972, as the youngest of seven children of the Late T J Joseph and Mariamma, Rev Thomas Tharayil belongs to St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral Church, Changnanassery. He had his primary school education at St Joseph’s LP School, Changanassery, and high school education at Sacred Heart English Medium School there.

After completing Pre-Degree Course at SB College, Changanassery, he joined St Thomas Minor Seminary, Kurichy. He did philosophical and theological studies at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, and was ordained priest on January 1, 2000, by Archbishop Joseph Powathil. The date of the episcopal ordination will be decided later.