- 24 August, 2026
New Delhi, August 24, 2026: A. Chinnappan of Delhi has been elected National President of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) for the 2026–28 term, while Kolkata-based businessman Alexander Anthony has been elected National Vice President at the organisation’s annual general body meeting held in New Delhi over the weekend.
Chinnappan, a retired senior corporate executive, spent much of his professional career with the Aditya Birla Group and retired as Assistant Vice President. Born in Munnar in Kerala’s Idukki district, he has held several positions in Church and lay organisations at parish and diocesan levels.
He has served as President of the Catholic Association at the parish level and as a member of the Parish Council. At the diocesan level, his involvement has included the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Laity Commission, Formation Commission, Catholic Association of the Archdiocese of Delhi, and Inter-Faith and Ecumenism Commission.
Outlining his priorities as AICU president, Chinnappan adopted the theme, “One Faith. Three Rites. One Catholic Family.” He called for a stronger youth presence and a more united AICU rooted in faith, connected with Catholic communities at the grassroots and committed to serving the nation.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the Union’s presence in every state and diocese and ensure that its national leadership remains closely connected with local Catholic communities.
Anthony, a Tamil Catholic who was born and brought up in Kolkata, studied at St. Xavier’s School, Park Street. His involvement in Catholic lay movements began during his school and college years through the Christian Life Community and Laymen’s Training Society. He later served as Secretary of the Parish Council of St. Thomas Church, Middleton Row.
His association with the Catholic Association of Bengal began in 2003. He served as Secretary General from 2005 to 2012 and as President from 2012 to 2018. He was also Secretary of the Laity Commission of the Archdiocese of Calcutta from 2012 to 2019 and served on the Managing Committee of Loreto House School from 2012 to 2018.
Anthony was Secretary of the organising committee for the Archdiocese of Calcutta’s celebrations marking the canonisation of Mother Teresa in 2016.
His association with the All India Catholic Union began in 2006, when he became its West Bengal State President. He later served as Honorary Treasurer from 2016 to 2022, Assistant Vice President from 2022 to 2024 and Secretary General from 2024 to 2026.
The All India Catholic Union has advocated for the rights of Christians facing persecution and defended freedom of religion and belief in India. It has also raised the concerns of Dalit Christians, particularly their demand for access to benefits and protections available to other Dalit communities.
The Union has also worked beyond the Catholic community to strengthen civil society and promote dialogue and cooperation with other Christian denominations and people of different faiths.
The new national leadership will serve for the 2026–28 term, with a stated emphasis on expanding the Union’s presence among Catholic communities across India and strengthening its commitment to faith, unity and service.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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