Pope approves new dioceses, appointments in Syro-Malabar Church

(January 18, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday approved the creation of two new dioceses and the appointment of six new bishops in the Syro-Malabar-rite Catholic Church based in southern India’s Kerala state. The two new Syro-Malabar dioceses are that of Ramanathapuram and Mandya. Fr. Paul Alappatt will be the first bishop of Ramanathapuram, whose territories include the civil districts of Coimbatore, Erode, Karur and Thirueur taken from the Diocese of Palghat. The new bishop of Mandya will be Fr. George Njaralakatt, and his jurisdiction includes the civil districts of Mandya, Haffan, Mysore and Chamaragnagar of Mananthavady diocese. Pope Benedict also approved the appointment of four other new Syro-Malabar bishops. Fr. Pauly Kannookadan is the new Bishop of Irinjalakuda, taking over from Bishop James Pashayattil, who has retired. In Thamarassery Diocese, Fr. Remigiose Inchananiyil succeeds retiring Bishop Paul Chittilapilly. Fr. Raphael Thattil has been appointed auxiliary bishop of Trichur Archdiocese, and Fr. Bosco Putur has been appointed the curia bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Besides these appointments there has also been an adjustment of territory between two dioceses. The civil district of Chikmagalur that belonged to Mananthavady diocese has been given to Bhadravathi Diocese. According to the code of Canon Law for the eastern-rite Churches, the Pope allows the synod of bishops of the Oriental Churches to elect their bishops and organize their Churches for final approval by him. The latest changes came about at the end of the Jan. 10-15 meeting of the Syro-Malabar Church’s synod in Ernakulam, Kerala.