By Matters India Reporter
Tura: July 4, 2020: Father Jose Chirackal was on July 4 ordained as the auxiliary bishop of Tura in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.
Bishop Andrew R Marak of Tura led the episcopal ordination ceremony in the presence of Bishop Emeritus Mamalassery of Tura, Bishops Victor of Jowai and Thomas Pulloppillil of Bongaigaon.
The ceremonies were also attended by a few select guests and designated representatives from parishes and institutions.
Pope Francis appointed Father Chirackal as the auxiliary on February 24, 2020, but the ordination was delay because of the nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Tura MP Agatha Sangma attended the function.
Bishop Chirackal was born on July 14, 1960, in Karukutty, Kerala, and was ordained a priest on December 29, 1987, for the Diocese of Tura.
After the schooling in Kerala, he joined the Diocese of Tura in 1976. He studied at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Shillong, Philosophy at Christ King College, Shillong, and Theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong and later a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from Università Urbaniana, Roma, in 1995.