Fr.Jose Pulickal is new Auxiliary to Kanjirapally

Staff Reporter | Jan 12/16/ in| ZENIT.org | Eastern Churches | India

                          Pope Francis has given his assent to the appointment, by the Synod of Bishops of the major archiepiscopal Syro-Malabar church, gathered in Mount Saint Thomas, Kerala, India, of Fr. Jose Pulickal as auxiliary bishop of the eparchy of Kanjirapally of the Syro-Malabars, India.

                      12472264_1695106944102030_4125017896515421893_n    Jose Pulickal was born in Inchiyani, India, in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1991. He holds a doctorate in biblical theology from the Dharmaram Institute of Bangalore, and has served in a number of pastoral roles, including vicar of the cathedral of Kanjirapally, director of catechesis, eparchial vicar and consultor. He is currently protosyncellus with responsibilty for the clergy.

                         The eparchy has some 226,000 faithful in a population of 1.3 million. They are served by about 345 priesta and more than 2,000 religious.

Reports SMC Official site:                                           

The Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church assembled at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad from 7th January 2016, elected Rev. Fr. Jose Pulickal, as the first auxiliary bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kanjirapally in Kerala.  The announcement of the election was made public at 12.00 pm (Italian Time) today, Tuesday, 12 January in Vatican and simultaneously at 4.30 pm IST at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Curia and at St. Dominic’s Cathedral Church, Kanjirapally.  The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, His Beatitude George Cardinal Alencherry, made the announcement at Mount St. Thomas. The Major Archbishop and Bishop Mathew Arackal, Bishop of Kanjirapally presented the bishop-elect with the insignia of Episcopacy. Archbishop Joseph Powathil, first Bishop of Kanjirapally felicitated the bishop-elect presenting him with a bouquet. All the Bishops attending the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church were present on the occasion.

Rev. Dr. Jose Pulickal was born on 3 March 1964, in the parish of Inchiyani, in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally.  He had his primary school education at Holy Family School, Inchiyani, High School studies at CMS, Mundakayam and Pre-Degree studies at St. Dominic’s College, Kanjirapally.  Then he joined the minor seminary of the eparchy of Kanjirapally at Podimattam for his priestly formation. After having done the studies of Philosophy and Theology at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, he was ordained Priest by Bishop Mathew Vattakkuzhy on January 1, 1991.  Soon after his priestly ordination, he served as Assistant Vicar of St. Dominic’s Cathedral Church, Kanjirapally.

PulickalFr. Pulickal who was very much involved in charitable works, during his seminary days itself, later served at Snehashram, Vettukad, Thrissur.  Then he attained his licentiate and doctorate in Biblical Theology from Dharamaram and St. Peter’s, Bangalore respectively.  After he completed his doctoral studies, he was appointed Director of Catechesis and Mission League of the eparchy. After he worked in this capacity for 8 years, he was appointed Forane Vicar of Pathanamthitta and the Vicar General of Kanjirapally, in charge of Ranni-Pathanamthitta Region. At present, he is Syncellus of the eparchy of Kanjirapally.

Fr. Jose, who is the only of son of Late Mr. Antony and Late Mrs. Mariamma Pulickal, had donated his house and land for ‘Snehashram’, a rehabilitation centre for the children, when his parents were still alive.  The bishop-elect is a well-known preacher and writer.  He has authored five books in Malayalam and English. He is a professor in various seminaries and institutes. The date of the Episcopal ordination will be decided later.
Source: smcim

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