Msgr. Antony Kattiparampil was ordained Bishop of Cochin

Kochi 7 December 2025: Msgr. Antony Kattiparampil was ordained as the 36th Bishop of the diocese of Cochin in Kerala on December 7, 2025. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), was the principle consecrator.

 

Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly and Bishop Joseph Kariyil, the Bishop Emeritus of Cochin, were co-consecrators. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil of the Syro-Malabar Church, Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of the CBCI and Archbishop Dr. Varghese Chakkalakal, President of the Kerala Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council, conveyed their greetings.

 

Mar Joseph Pamplany, Metropolitan Archbishop of Thalassery and Vicar of the Major Archbishop for Ernakulam–Angamaly, delivered the homily. Bishop James Raphael Anaparambil, Apostolic Administrator of Cochin, welcomed the gathering.

 

During the Holy Mass, the Bishop-elect publicly declared his willingness to accept the episcopal office. This was followed by the Litany of the Saints and the laying on of hands. The principal celebrant then vested the new Bishop with the ring and mitre. He handed over the pastoral staff and seated him on the Cathedra, the chair of authority. The concelebrant bishops then gave the kiss of peace, and representatives of clergy, religious, and laity greeted the new Bishop.

 

The Eucharistic celebration was continued by the newly ordained Bishop. Thousands gathered at the Santacruz Ground to receive their shepherd after a wait of one and a half years.

 

The Diocese of Cochin once stretched from Kanyakumari to Southeast India and across Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Hong Kong, and Malacca. Bishop Antony Kattiparampil becomes the fifth indigenous Bishop since the Diocese was established in 1557.

 

By Catholic Connect Reporter