TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am very much pleased to announce the glad tidings that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, till date Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, and Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei, as Apostolic Nuncio to India.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Saturday, 8th May, 2010, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

His Excellency, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was born in Marano (Naples) Italy, on 7th September, 1952 and was ordained priest on 18th September, 1976. He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and entered into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 15th April, 1979. He served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Panama, Ethiopia, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Ireland. On 28th November, 1998, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda. On 20th November, 2003, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia and Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei.

A Warm Welcome to our new Apostolic Nuncio! We extend to him our hearty congratulations and assure him our prayers, best wishes and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his apostolic ministry and great ecclesial responsibility.

With kind regards and best wishes,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

The 113th CBCI Standing Committee Meeting was held at St. John’s, Bangalore, from April 25-28, 2010. This was the first meeting of the SCM after the election of the new Office-Bearers of CBCI held during the last GBM at Guwahati. The Standing Committee (SC) proper met in the afternoon of Sunday, 25th April and on 26th April (full day). The Standing Committee met as the Caritas Council, which is the General Body of Caritas India on 27th (morning). In the two sessions, the Annual General Report was given by Fr. Varghese Mattamana, Executive Director of Caritas India and the Audited Statement of Accounts as well as the Budget presented were approved. On 27th afternoon, the General Body of the newly established CBCI Society for Medical Education, North India, comprising the SC members met for the first time. Besides the Annual Report given by Fr. Alex Vadakumthala, the Project Director, the Audited Statement of Accounts and Budget were presented and approved.

1. At the first session of the SCM, the report of the previous Standing Committee was passed and some points for action to be taken were mentioned.

The evaluation of the last GBM was quite positive. Deep appreciation and gratitude were expressed to the host Archbishop, Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil and to all the Committees and Teams who networked effectively for the overall success of the Plenary Assembly. Some suggestions were made to improve the logistics, v.gr. to organize the GBM in one venue or campus so that all the participants could meet and interact among themselves easily.

2. Concerning the reorganization and strengthening of the CBCI, it was unanimously agreed that the Secretary General should implement all the proposals and recommendations made in the Final Draft of the Reorganization of CBCI, which was submitted to and approved by the last Plenary Assembly.

3. It was felt that the three Episcopal Bodies should have a common approach concerning matters of priestly formation, both initial and ongoing. This concern should include the formation of religious men and women. An Action Plan in this direction needs to be drawn.

4. Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, the Bishop-in-Charge of the CBCI Office of Education and Culture, briefed the house about the ‘Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009 and the Model Rules’. He focused on certain provisions of the said Act, which violate the rights of minorities. He also referred to the statement made by Justice Siddiqui, Chairman of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), that the minority institutions with less than 30% of students from a particular minority community cannot claim the minority status. After a brief discussion, the house authorized Bishop Joshua to take necessary action, even to the point of having legal recourse, particularly with reference to some discriminatory sections of the RTE Act 2009, in order to safeguard the minority status of our educational institutions guaranteed by the Constitution of India Art. 30(1).

5. The Revised Statutes of NVSC were presented by Bishop Felix Toppo, the Chairman of the Centre. The Secretary General was asked to form a Committee to study the said Statutes and present them at the next SCM for their approval.

6. On 26th April, two sessions in the morning were entirely devoted to a serious and detailed discussion of the second Draft of the ‘Guidelines for Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults’. This was done against the background of the many reports in the secular media about the involvement of Church personnel in child abuse cases. There was a general consensus that this Document should be reformulated taking into account the earlier Guidelines/Directives given by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This Document should have two parts: one concerning procedural or legal issues and the other dealing with pastoral guidelines for our priests and others concerned. His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias introduced this important topic as an urgent concern of the Church. He moderated the whole discussion and assured the house that the Office-Bearers would take the responsibility of finalizing this Document as early as possible so that the President of the CBCI could promulgate it in the month of June 2010.

7. The following Appointments/Confirmation/Extension were made:

(i)	In place of Fr. Varghese Pullan, SAC, whose services were requested by his Provincial from 1st May, 2010, Fr. A. Ratchanya Doss, OSM, was appointed Secretary of the CBCI Office of Laity.
(ii)	Mr. Edward A. Edezhath was also appointed Joint Secretary of the same Office of Laity.
(iii)	Out of the three names proposed, Fr. Paul Vallopally from the Archdiocese of Tellicherry (Thalasery) was appointed National Director for the Cherupushpa (Little Flower) Mission League.
(iv)	Approval was accorded by the Standing Committee to the proposed appointment of Fr. M. Gnana Selvin Raj, SJ, as the new National Advisor of All India Catholic Universities Federation (AICUF).
(v)	Fr. Stanislaus Tirkey, SJ, Secretary of the Committee for Tribal Affairs is to complete his one year of probation in June 2010. His appointment was confirmed for five years.
(vi)	Fr. Joe Mathias, SJ, Secretary of the Office of Clergy and Religious, who will be completing his term of office in August 2010, was given an extension of another three years.
(vii)	In place of Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap., who will be completing his term of office in September 2010, Fr. Charles Irudayam from the Diocese of Sivagangai has been appointed Secretary of the Office of Justice, Peace and Development.
(viii)	Adv. V. C. Sebastian has been appointed member on the Governing Board of Caritas India for Kerala Region, while Mr. Roshan Rai, representing the Bengal Region, was given one more term on the same Governing Board.

9. Bishop Yvon Ambroise recalled the discussion during the last Plenary Assembly on ‘Current Concerns’. And taking the suggestions of the working paper forward, he stressed the need of dealing proactively and effectively with the socio-political situation of our country. Given the urgency of the matter, it was strongly recommended that the Study Committee should follow it up. Bishop Franco Mulakkal was co-opted to the Study Committee whose Convenor is Bishop Yvon Ambroise.

10. The Audited Statement of Accounts of the CBCI for 2009-2010 and the proposed Budget for 2010-2011 presented by the Deputy Secretary General were approved. Similarly, the Budgets of the CBCI Offices presented by the respective Bishops-in-Charge were also approved.

11. The CBCI-CRI Joint Meeting took place on 28th April (morning). The main point of the Agenda was ‘Guidelines for Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults’.

12. The venue of the next SCM will be St. John’s, Bangalore. The dates are as follows:

22nd September:	St. John’s General Body Meeting, which will be followed by the annual General Body Meeting of NBCLC.
23rd - 24th September:	SCM proper.
25th September (morning):	CBCI-CRI Joint Committee Meeting.

13. Kindly note the following dates and meetings that have been arranged at the CBCI Centre:

1st July:	Interaction of the Office-Bearers with the Bishops of the Committee for Current Concerns, CBCI Secretariat Officials, all the Secretaries of the CBCI Offices and Directors of National Centres.
2nd & 3rd July:	Meeting of the Office-Bearers with the CBCI Secretariat Officials, Secretaries of the CBCI Offices and Directors of the National Centres.

14. September 15-16: Meeting of the CBCI Office-Bearers with Bishop Secretaries and Priest Secretaries of the Regional Bishops’ Councils, CBCI Secretariat Officials, Secretaries of the CBCI Offices and Directors of National Centres.

With kind regards and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

+ Albert D’Souza
Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop of Verapoly, appointed Apostolic Administrator of Kottapuram

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am pleased to inform you that the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples has appointed Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop of Verapoly, Apostolic Administrator “ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of the Diocese of Kottapuram.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on 24th March, 2010.

With kind regards and best wishes,

 

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal, Bishop of Kottapuram, appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am greatly pleased to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal, Bishop of Kottapuram, Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Saturday, 20th February, 2010, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal was born on 10th October, 1941, at Kottapuram. He joined St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Ernakulam in 1956. After completing pre-degree course from St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam, he joined St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva, for pursuing studies in Philosophy. He completed his Theology course from Urbaniana Propaganda College in Rome and was ordained priest on 29th June, 1968 for the Archdiocese of Verapoly. He also holds a Postgraduate Degree from Fairfield University, USA.

During his pastoral ministry he served as Assistant Vicar at Pius X Church, Fairfield, USA (1968-1970) and at Cruz Milagris Church, Kurisinkal (1970-1971); Secretary to Archbishop of Verapoly (1971-1978); Director of Social Service of Archdiocese of Verapoly (1978-1986); one of the Directors of St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore (1986-1987) and Chairman of Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF) of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.

On 3rd July, 1987, Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal was appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese of Kottapuram and was ordained Bishop on 4th October, 1987.

Presently, Bishop Kallarakal is the Chairman of the KCBC Health Commission, Vice Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission, Chairman of the KRLCBC Media Commission, Chairman Jeevandum Trust and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva.

We wish Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal hearty congratulations, renewed vigour and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure them of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop Emeritus of Belgaum.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With much regret and sadness, I inform you that Most Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop Emeritus of Belgaum, passed away on 17th February, 2010, at the Lourdes Hospital, Dharwad. This 91 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for long 42 years with great dedication and pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Ignatius Xavier Peter Canisius Lobo was born on 27th April, 1919, at Bombay. He pursued all his studies, secular and ecclesiastical, in the city of Bombay. He matriculated from the Antonio D’Souza High School, Byculla and completed his ecclesiastical studies with Honours in Humanities, Philosophy and Theology at the Diocesan Seminary, Bombay.

He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Bombay on 27th December, 1947, at Gloria Church, Byculla by His Eminence, the late Valerian Cardinal Gracias. He served as Secretary to the Cardinal (1953-1961) and as the Director of Catholic Charities (CARITAS) India (1962-1974). His able and efficient handling of the crucial problem of millions of Bangladeshi refugees with a view to their rehabilitation was highly commended by the Hierarchy of India and his outstanding services in this work of charities even won for him accolade from late Pope Paul VI. He then was nominated Director-General of Caritas India, New Delhi, which he served from 1974 to 1977. He was also a member of the Executive Council of Caritas Internationalis and was the Vice-President of this international organization representing Asia and Oceania from 1970 to 1978.

Most Rev. Ignatius Lobo was appointed the third Bishop of Belgaum by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI and was consecrated by His Eminence Valerian Cardinal Gracias at the Fatima Cathedral, Belgaum. He served the Diocese of Belgaum for 27 years.

Well aware of the fact that the future of any Diocese depends on good seedlings, he took upon himself as his first task the building and completion of St. Michael’s Minor Seminary, which was initiated by his predecessor, late Most Rev. Bishop Fortunato da Veiga Coutinho. To him also goes the credit of starting many schools and boardings in the Diocese. Bishop Ignatius founded the Belgaum Diocese Board of Education bringing under one umbrella all the schools of the Diocesan and Religious management, working in harmony and support of each other. Many dioceses in the Region tried to emulate this model. He also founded the Belgaum Diocesan Social Service Society, which today is a powerful developmental arm of the Diocese. He was instrumental in initiating the diocesan bulletin ‘Christa Prakash’.

Concerning missionary activity, it was due to his farsightedness that the Swami Missions of the Jesuits in the diocese, though initiated earlier, could progress rapidly and be extended. He believed in the strength of the laity and as such he established in his diocese the units of Catholic Association and of the Society of Vincent de Paul. He commanded an unenviable respect and honour among the Government officials and intelligentsia. He was invited to be the Senate Member of the Karnataka University in 1983 for four years. But his association was not only with the able and highly educated people but also he loved dearly the poor and the simple folks. He enjoyed their company and vividly remembered their courtesies. Bishop Ignatius, a self-made man, always loyal to the Magisterium of the Church, implemented all the reforms of Vatican II Council with great enthusiasm and interest.

He loved his priests though he was strict and brooked no indiscipline and made no compromises. He is remembered among the priests not only for his strength of unyielding character but also for his kindness and compassion. After his retirement in 1994, he was residing at the Clergy Home, Lourdes Hospital, Dharwad.

His funeral service was held on Friday, 19th February, 2010, at Our Lady of the Family Rosary of Fatima Cathedral, Belgaum, and was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Ignatius Lobo, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Demise of Most Rev. Ambrose Mathalaimuthu, Bishop Emeritus of Coimbatore.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Ambrose Mathalaimuthu, Bishop Emeritus of Coimbatore, passed away on 15th November, 2009, at Coimbatore. This 84 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 38 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Ambrose Mathalaimuthu was born on 20th July, 1925, at Nagalur, Diocese of Ootacamund. Ordained priest (in Rome) on 21st December, 1951, he was consecrated Bishop of Tuticorin on 9th December, 1971. After 9 years, he was transferred to Coimbatore on 1st January, 1980.

As a priest of Coimbatore, besides being Secretary to his Bishop from 1955, he held responsible posts, such as Diocesan Director of Pious Associations, Editor of the diocesan magazine ‘Serprasada Thuthan’, Rector of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary and Vicar General of the Diocese. He was keen in promoting the renewal of his priests by insisting on regular monthly recollections and annual retreats as well as the spiritual reform of his flock by conducting Annual Lenten Missions and Catholic Charismatic Prayer Meetings, several of them being led by himself. His special zeal for Catechesis prompted him to teach catechism in different vicariates and give special classes for teachers. He came to be known as ‘Bishop of Catechism’. He completed the building of the Pastoral Centre ‘Jeeve Jothi Ashram’ begun by his predecessor and succeeded in coordinating various pastoral activities through 14 Commissions, which were subsequently reduced to five, corresponding to CBCI Commissions. He persuaded the faithful to offer a voluntary contribution on a monthly basis thus making the parishes financially self-reliant. He set up various educational institutions, v.gr. Arts College, Christ the King Polytechnic, ITI and several types of schools. Under his guidance, 34 new Churches and 48 Chapels were constructed, 10 new parishes established and some other Churches, Chapels and Presbyteries were renovated.

In his diocese he gave new Constitutions to Presentation Sisters of Blessed Virgin Mary and helped them become Pontifical. He did the same with the Brothers of St. Michael. Well versed in matters of religious life, he was appointed Pontifical Commissary to Brothers of Sacred Heart, Palayamkottai, in January 2003 and to Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pondicherry from December 2003 till May 2005.

As President of the Board of Bishops in the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, he took keen interest in the formation of good pastors and he used to frequently visit both the seminarians and the staff. He had special concern for the retired priests for whom he built residential quarters. He was staying in the Diocese until he breathed his last.

His funeral service held on 18th November, 2009, at the St. Michael’s Cathedral, Coimbatore, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Ambrose Mathalaimuthu, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

---

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:	1		Creation of new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram.
	2		Creation of new Eparchy of Mandya.
	3		Rev. Msgr. Pauly Kannookadan appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda.
	4		Rev. Msgr. Remigiose Inchananiyil appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Thamarassery.
	5		Rev. Msgr. Raphael Thattil appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Trichur.
	6		Rev. Msgr. Bosco Putur appointed Curial Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
	7		Rev. Msgr. Paul Alappatt appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram.
	8		Rev. Msgr. George Njaralakatt appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Mandya.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am much pleased to inform you that His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, with the consent of the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, having obtained the assent of the Holy See, has created the Eparchies of Ramanathapuram by carving out the civil districts of Coimbatore, Erobe, Karur and Thirueur from the Eparchy of Palghat, with its See and the Headquarters at Ramanathapuram and the Eparchy of Mandya by carving out the civil districts of Mandya, Haffan, Mysore and Chamaragnagar, from the Eparchy of Mananthavady, with the See and the Headquarters at Mandya.

At the same time, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has given his assent to the appointment of: Rev. Msgr. Pauly Kannookadan as Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda; Rev. Msgr. Remigiose Inchananiyil as Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Thamarassery; Rev. Msgr. Raphael Thattil as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Trichur; Rev. Msgr. Bosco Putur as Curial Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church; Rev. Msgr. Paul Alappatt as Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram and Rev. Msgr. George Njaralakatt as Bishop of the new Eparchy of Mandya.

These ecclesiastical provisions were made public on 18th January, 2010 at 4.30 p.m. (IST), and were formally announced in L’Osservatore Romano the same day in Rome.

1. Most Rev. Pauly Kannookadan was born on 14th February, 1961 at Kuzhikattussery in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda. After his high school studies at Aloor, he joined St. Mary’s Petit Seminary, Thope, Thrissur. He had his philosophical and theological formation at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He was ordained priest on 28th December, 1985. After serving as Asst. Parish Priest at St. Thomas Cathedral, Irinjalakuda, he was sent to Rome for higher studies. He obtained a Doctorate in Oriental Liturgy from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. He has served as Vicar in various parishes of the Eparchy viz., Lourdupuram (Inchakundu), Murikingal, Thuravankunnu, Kottennallur, Kuthirathadam, Paduvanagar (Aikkarakkunnu) and Kuzkikattukon. He was the Asst. Director of the Better Life Movement (BLM) and the Mission Training Centre MTC at Aloor; Vice Rector of St. Paul’s Minor Seminary; Secretary of the Pastoral Council; Director of Pastoral Center and Catechism (Vidyajyothi), Bible Apostolate, Justice Forum and of Prathyasa (Hope). He was the Convener of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and Visiting Professor of Liturgy to various Major Seminaries, viz. Mangalapuram, Alwaye and Poonamallee. He was the Chief Editor of ‘Thomas Christian Heritage’, the Biannual Journal of the Liturgical Research Centre, Kochi. He was serving as the Secretary of the Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Liturgy, Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and as the Executive Director of Liturgical Research Centre (LRC) at the time of his appointment as Bishop of Irinjalakuda. Concurrently he deserves special mention for his service as the Notary of the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church from 2005-2009.

2. Most Rev. Remegiose Inchananiyil was born on 26th July, 1961, at Vettilappara in the Eparchy of Thamarassery. He had his priestly formation at Vadavathoor and was ordained priest on 26th December, 1987. He has a M.A. in English and holds a Doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Santa Croce, Rome. He served as Vicar at Valayam, Thalayad, Theyyappara and Karingad. He was serving as the Secretary, Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Eparchy at the time of his appointment as Bishop of Thamarassery. He was also serving as Judge in the Major Archiepiscopal Tribunal, Kakkanad.

3. Most Rev. Raphael Thattil was born on 21st April, 1956, at Trichur. He had his priestly formation at Vadavathoor and was ordained priest on 21st December, 1980. He has a B.Th. and a Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Rome. He served as Asst. Vicar at Aranattukara (1981); Prefect of the Minor Seminary (1982); Vice Chancellor of Curia (1988); Vice Rector of the Minor Seminary (1991); Director of DBCLC and Catechism (1992-1995); Chancellor and Eparchial Judge (1995-2000). He has been instrumental in developing the Mary Matha Major Seminary whose First Rector he was (1998-2007). He was the Proto-Syncellus of the Archeparchy at the time of his appointment as Auxiliary of Trichur.

4. Most Rev. Bosco Puthur was born on 28th May, 1946, at Parappur in the Archdiocese of Trichur. He had his seminary formation in Aluva Carmelgiri Philosophate and Propaganda College, Rome. He was ordained priest on 27th March, 1971. He served as Asst. Vicar at Ollur (1976); Prefect at the Minor Seminary (1976); Professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Aluva (1977-1992); Rector of the Minor Seminary (1992); Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese (1995-1999); Cathedral Vicar (1999) and Executive Director of Liturgical Research Center, Mt. St. Thomas, Kakkanad (1999-2007). He holds an L.Ph, S.T.L and S.T.D. He was the Rector of Mangalapuzha Seminary at the time of his appointment as Curial Bishop. He was ordained Bishop on 13th February, 2010.

5. Most Rev. Paul Alapatt was born on 21st April, 1962, at Edathuruthy, Irinjalakkuda and belongs to the parish of Porathur, Trichur. He had his priestly studies at Vadavathoor and was ordained priest on 27th December 1987. He has secured BA; B.Th. and a Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Rome. He served his Eparchy as Asst. Vicar at Mattom (1988); Vicar at Pudussery and Parannur (1989); Prefect at the Minor Seminary (1990); Vicar at Puthur (1990); as Vice-Chancellor and in the Tribunal (1991, 1997-8); Chancellor (1998-2007). He was serving as Judge (1997+), Judicial Vicar (2001+), Rector of St. Mary’s Minor Seminary (2007+) and Judge of Major Archiepiscopal Tribunal (2007+) at the time of his appointment as the first Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram.

6. Most Rev. George Njaralakat was born on 23rd June, 1946, and belongs to the parish of Nadavayal in the Eparchy of Mananthavady. He was ordained priest on 20th December, 1971. He served the Eparchy as Asst. Parish Priest, Parish Priest, Director of Catechism and Mission League, Eparchial Finance Officer, Syncellus, Eparchial Administrator sede vacante, and later as Protosyncellus of Bishop Jose Porunnedom. He holds a Licentiate in Catechetics. He was serving the Eparchy of Bhadravathi as its Protosyncellus at the time of his appointment as the first Bishop of the new Eparchy of Mandya.

We extend our hearty congratulations to Most Rev. Pauly Kannookadan, Most Rev. Remegiose Inchananiyil, Most Rev. Raphael Thattil, Most Rev. Bosco Puthur, Most Rev. Paul Alapatt and Most Rev. George Njaralakat and wish them all the very best in their episcopal ministry and assure them of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to their Eparchies.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Kerketta appointed Bishop of Jashpur

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am much pleased to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Kerketta, Diocesan Administrator of Jashpur, Bishop of Jashpur.

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Tuesday, 22nd December, 2009, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m., Indian Standard Time.

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kerketta was born on 16th March, 1952 at Gotmahua, Jashpur. After his primary education at Musgutri, his native parish and high school at Kunkuri, he entered the Minor Seminary at Ranchi. Later on, he pursued his Philosophical studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore and after his graduation (B.Sc.) from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, he did his Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. Besides, he holds a Post-Graduate Degree (M. Sc. in Maths) and B.Ed.

He was ordained priest on 5th May, 1984. After a stint of pastoral ministry as Asst. Parish Priest at Portenga (1984-86), he held various responsible posts in the Diocese, namely, Director of the Apostolic School, Gholeng (1989-92), Manager of Deepak H. S. School, Harradippa (1994-2006) where he also taught Science (1992-2006). He was made Vicar General of Jashpur Diocese (2006-2008) and, after the demise of Most Rev. Victor Kindo, Bishop of the Diocese, he was appointed Diocesan Administrator on 14th June, 2008, which post he occupied till the time of his appointment as Bishop of Jashpur.

We extend to Most Rev. Emmanuel Kerketta our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI