Bishop Mar Gregory Karotemprel, Bishop Emeritus of Rajkot, Dies at 93

Rajkot, July 19, 2026: Bishop Mar Gregory Karotemprel CMI, Bishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Rajkot and one of the Church's longest-serving missionaries, died on Sunday at the age of 93. He passed away at 12:17 p.m. at the CMI St Joseph Provincial House in Rajkot after decades of pastoral and missionary service.

The death of the veteran prelate was announced by Bishop Mar Jose Chittooparambil CMI of Rajkot, who described it as a profound loss for the Diocese of Rajkot and the Syro-Malabar Church, and appealed to the faithful to remember Bishop Gregory in their prayers.

The Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St Thomas, Kakkanad, also paid tribute to Bishop Gregory, recalling his lifelong commitment to missionary work and his contribution to strengthening the Syro-Malabar Church's evangelising mission. The statement described him as a visionary pastor whose influence extended well beyond the Rajkot Eparchy through his dedication to proclaiming the Gospel and mentoring generations of priests, religious and lay faithful.

Born on May 6, 1933, in Chemmalamattom near Pala in Kerala's Kottayam district, Gregory Karotemprel joined the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and made his first religious profession on December 8, 1955. After completing his philosophical and theological studies at Dharmaram Vidya Kshethram in Bengaluru, he was ordained a priest on May 17, 1963.

Known for his theological scholarship and pastoral leadership, Fr Gregory was elected Provincial of the CMI Sacred Heart Province in 1978. While serving in that position, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Rajkot on January 22, 1983. He was ordained bishop and installed on April 24, 1983, succeeding Bishop Mar Yonas Thaliath.

During more than 27 years as Bishop of Rajkot, he oversaw the expansion of pastoral ministries, encouraged vocations, strengthened parish communities and promoted missionary outreach, particularly among marginalised communities. His episcopal ministry was widely recognised for its simplicity, humility and unwavering commitment to evangelisation.

After retiring on July 16, 2010, Bishop Gregory continued to reside at the CMI Provincial House in Rajkot, where he remained actively engaged in prayer and offered spiritual guidance to clergy, religious and lay faithful.

The funeral rites will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at Prem Mandir, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rajkot. Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, will preside over the funeral liturgy.

Bishop Gregory's death marks the end of more than six decades of priestly ministry and over a quarter century of episcopal leadership, leaving behind a legacy of missionary commitment, theological learning and dedicated pastoral service in western India.

By Catholic Connect Reporter