New Bishops Appointed for Adilabad and Belthangady Eparchies

Kakkanad, August 28, 2025: His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, announced the appointments of new bishops for the Eparchies of Adilabad and Belthangady on 28 August, during a public meeting held at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, in the presence of the Synod Fathers. The decisions were also announced at 12 noon (Italian time) in the Vatican.

Bishop of Belthangady

Rev. Fr. James Patteril CMF, presently serving as the Provincial Procurator of the Würzburg Province of the Claretian Congregation in Germany, has been appointed Bishop of Belthangady by His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil. He succeeds Bishop Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhy, who resigned due to health reasons.

Bishop of Adilabad

Rev. Fr. Joseph Thachaparambath CMI, serving as the Provincial Superior of the CMI Chanda St. Thomas Province, has been appointed Bishop of Adilabad by the Major Archbishop. He succeeds Mar Prince Antony Panengadan, who has been transferred from the Eparchy of Adilabad to the then Eparchy of Shamshabad.

Rev. Fr. James Patteril CMF

Born on July 27, 1962, in St. Mary's Parish, Battiyaal, Eparchy of Belthangady, he joined the Claretian Congregation and completed his seminary formation at Claret Bhavan, Kuravilangad. Ordained priest on April 26, 1990, he served in Ujire and Shiradi parishes, pursued higher studies in Pastoral Theology at Freiburg, Germany, and currently serves as Provincial Procurator of the Claretian Province of Würzburg. He is proficient in Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, English, and German.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Thachaparambath CMI

Born on February 24, 1969, in Nalumukku–Nazrathwali Parish, Eparchy of Idukki, he joined the CMI St. Thomas Province, Chanda, for his priestly formation. Ordained priest on January 1, 1997, he served in multiple parishes in the Eparchy of Chanda and held key administrative roles. Since 2023, he has been the Provincial Superior of the CMI St. Thomas Province, Chanda. He holds B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees and is currently pursuing research at Sunrise University, Rajasthan. He is proficient in Malayalam, Telugu, and English.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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