Fr. D. Selvarajan Appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of Neyyattinkara

Bangalore, February 8, 2025 (CCBI): The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Fr

D. Selvarajan (62) as Coadjutor Bishop of Neyyattinkara, Kerala on February 8, 2025. Since 2011, he has been the Judicial Vicar of Neyyattinkara, and since 2019, he has been the Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier in Thirupuram.

He was born on January 27, 1962, in Valiyavila. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary in Alwaye and earned a License and Doctorate in Canon Law at the Université catholique de Louvain. He was ordained a priest on December 23, 1987, for the Archdiocese of Trivandrum.

After his ordination, he held the following positions: Parish Priest of St. Albert in Muthiyavila (1988-1994); Director of Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Trivandrum of the Latins (1991-1995); Parish Priest of St. Jude in Chinnathurai (1994-1995); Parish Priest of St. Theresa in Manikkapuram (1995); Defender of the Bond at the Tribunal of Trivandrum and Director of Pastoral Care (2001-2003); Parish Priest of St. Paul in Maranelloor and Director of Schools (2001-2008); Defender of the Bond at the Tribunal of Neyyattinkara (2001-2011); Member of the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Council for Economic Affairs (since 2007); Chancellor and Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Cathedral (2008-2014); Parish Priest of Sacred Heart and Director of the Logos Pastoral Centre (2014-2019).

The diocese of Neyyattinkara was erected on June 14, 1996, bifurcated from the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. Bishop Vincent Samuel is the first bishop of the diocese. The diocese consists of two taluks, Neyyattinkara and Nedumangad. The diocese has a Catholic population of 132,650, 65 parishes, and 135 diocesan priests.

By Dr. Stephen Alathara