Rome: Pope Francis has erected the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain and has appointed as its first bishop Father Joseph (Benny Mathew) Srampickal, vice rector of the College De Propaganda Fide in Rome.
This was announced in Rome on July 28 at noon local time, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.
Fr. Srampickal was born on May 30, 1967, at Poovarany in Palai diocese. He joined the minor seminary of Palai in 1992 and had his philosophical studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor and Theological studies from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in Biblical Theology.
He continued his studies at Oxford (England). He knows Malayalam, English, Italian and German.
Ordained priest on August 12, 2000, he has held the following offices: professor at Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, and at Mar Ephrem Formation Centre, Palai; director of Mar Sleeva Nursing College, Cherpumkal; director of the Evangelization program, secretary of the bishop; pastor of St. George’s Church, Urulikunnam.
From 2013, he has served as vice rector of the Pontifical Urban College De Propaganda Fide, Rome.