By Matters India Reporter
Kochi, Jan 13, 2024: Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil on January 13 appointed Bishop Joseph Kollamparampil as the administrator of Shamshabad diocese, a seat he vacated on being elected the head of the Oriental Rite.
Bishop Kollamparampil has been serving the Telangana-based diocese as its auxiliary since October 2022.
He made the declaration of faith at the synod meeting on January 13 evening, says a press statement from the Church’s curia at Kakkanad, a suburb of Kochi, Kerala.
He will administer the diocese until a new bishop takes over, says the statement signed by Father Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, major archiepiscopal chancellor.
The appointment was made on the same day Pope Francis appointed six bishops for Latin rite dioceses in the country.
The major archbishop was elected during a synod meeting that began on January 8. His name was announced two days later after Pope Francis’ approval. He installation took place during a solemn Mass January 11, the last day of the synod, in the Church’s headquarters.
Pope Francis appointed Kollamparambil as auxiliary bishop of Shamshabad on August 25, 2022.
He was born on September 22, 1955. He joined the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary in Palai and completed his priestly formation at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor, Kottayam, Kerala. He was ordained as priest on December 18, 1981.
His episcopal ordination was on October 9, 2022.