Pope Leo Appoints Keralite Priest Fr. Joshy Pottackal as Auxiliary Bishop of Mainz, Germany

Vatican, Nov 26, 2025: Pope Leo has appointed Fr. Joshy George Pottackal, O. Carm., as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Mainz. The announcement was made simultaneously in the Vatican and in Mainz on Wednesday, November 26.

At a press conference at the Erbacher Hof in Mainz, Bishop Peter Kohlgraf introduced the Carmelite friar. The episcopal consecration will take place on Sunday, March 15, in Mainz Cathedral. As auxiliary bishop, Father Joshy will serve as episcopal vicar for religious orders and continue his work in the personnel department until a successor is appointed. He will become the titular bishop of Ceramussa, a former diocese in the ancient Roman province of Numidia in North Africa.

During the press conference, Bishop Kohlgraf highlighted Father Joshy’s pastoral and personal qualities: “His character traits include humility, competence, a clear vision, and sound judgment. He is a man with a strong pastoral interest and a pastor with heart. His roots in Carmelite spirituality are important to him; life in community and the spiritual structures of his order are essential to his self-understanding.” He added that the appointment offers not only support in diocesan leadership but also “a fraternal partner in dialogue – on the issues of our diocese as well as on the tasks within the Bishops' Conference.”

Addressing expected reactions, Bishop Kohlgraf said: “He was appointed auxiliary bishop because he possesses the necessary qualifications. Nevertheless, there will certainly be comments emphasizing that he is not of German origin, even though he holds German citizenship. This is precisely what makes this appointment remarkable. I consider it a powerful and important signal for our time. In our worldwide Catholic Church, there is no uniformity. We are called to live unity in diversity – with different paths of faith and cultural backgrounds. There are no strangers in this Church. Those who find the appointment of Father Joshy extraordinary should remember that Bishop Prevost, an American, was a bishop in Peru.”

*Father Joshy’s Statement*

Reflecting on his appointment, Father Joshy said: “Never in my life would I have thought that one day I would receive the call to become an auxiliary bishop.” He shared that as a young religious, he had imagined missionary work in North India or Africa, and even after arriving in Germany, his heart “still beat for pastoral care for Germans abroad.”

Emphasising his simplicity, he remarked: “I am not a theorist with a doctorate! My sermons are rarely longer than five minutes. Can I fulfill the office of auxiliary bishop with the gifts God has given me and still remain authentic?” He said he chooses to trust fully in God: “‘Guided by trust’ (per fidem ductus) (after Psalm 37:5), I accept the appointment and, paraphrasing Augustine, say: ‘With you I am a Christian, and for you I am an auxiliary bishop.’”

Speaking about his ministry in Mainz, he expressed gratitude: “These were very intense years in which I had the opportunity to become familiar with a wide variety of tasks. Being close to the people in the parish, with their joys and sorrows, and listening to and understanding what is important to them… was always important to me. I am grateful for the connections I made with all generations in the parish.”

*Profile of the New Auxiliary Bishop*

Fr. Joshy George Pottackal was born on April 30, 1977, in Meenkunnam, Kerala, India. He entered the Carmelite minor seminary in 1992 and made his first profession in 1996 following his novitiate. He studied philosophy at the Capuchin Calvary Institute of Philosophy and Religion in Thrissur and theology at the Carmelite Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram in Bengaluru. He was ordained a priest in Thrissur in 2003.

In 2004, he moved to Mainz, attending language school and later the pastoral seminary for religious priests at the Münster University of Philosophy and Theology. Since 2006, he has served in the Diocese of Mainz as city youth chaplain and parish chaplain in Mainz-Hechtsheim and Mainz-Oberstadt, while completing his pastoral training.

In 2009, he became parish priest of the Neckartal parish, living in the monastic community in Hirschhorn. Within the former deanery structure, he served as deputy dean of the Bergstraße-Ost deanery from 2016 and as acting dean from 2021 until the deaneries were dissolved. Since 2016, he has also served as regional superior for members of the Indian St. Thomas Province of the Carmelite Order in Germany.

On November 1, 2022, he joined the Bishop's Office in Mainz, residing in the Carmelite monastery and working as a personnel officer for priests. From 2024 to November 2025, he also served as Formation Prefect at the seminary alongside Diocesan Youth Chaplain Daniel Kretsch. In the future, seminarian admission and ordination will depend on evaluations from both the rector and the Formation Prefects. He is an advisory member of the Priests’ Council of the Diocese of Mainz and has served on the Diocesan Council of Religious Orders.

Source: Diocese of Mainz