By Matters India Reporter

Kochi, Jan 15, 2020: Pope Francis on January 15 approved the recommendation of the Syro-Malabar Church’s synod to appoint Father Peter Kochupurackal as the new auxiliary bishop of Palghat in Kerala.

The Pope has also endorsed the promotion of Auxiliary Bishop Jose Pulickal of Kanjirapally as the diocese’s new bishop. He succeeds Bishop Mathew Arackal, who has since retired after crossing the mandatory retirement age of 75 years.

The appointments were announced at St Thomas Mount in Kakkanad, Kochi, the Church’s headquarters, where its synod was in session January 7-15.

Bishop-elect Kochupurackal
Father Kochupurackal is the current judicial vicar and chancellor of Palghat where the incumbent Bishop Jacob Manathodath is expected to retired next year. The bishop-appointed was the syncellus or episcopal vicar for seminarians and consecrated persons since December 10, 2016.

He was born on May 29, 1964, at Marangoly in Palai diocese. He joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Kallepully, Palakkad in 1981. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained apriest on December 19,1990. His licentiate and doctoral studies were in Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (2000-2007).

Bishop Pulickal is the fourth prelate of Kanjirapally, which was erected in 1977. He was appointed the auxiliary bishop of Kanjirapally on January 12, 2016 and consecrated on February 4, the same year. He was ordained a priest on January 1, 1991. He was born on March 3, 1964.