A new Bishop for the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chanda

The Holy Father on Thursday accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Vijay Anand Nedumpuram, CMI, from the pastoral care of the Eparchy of Chanda of the Syro-Malabar Church (India), in accordance with can. 210 § 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO).

The Holy Father also on Thursday, appointed Fr. Ephrem Nariculam of the Diocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Siro- Malabar Church as the Bishop of Chanda Eparchate of the Syro-Malabar Church in India. He was so far Chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Community in Toronto (Canada).

Bishop elect Fr. Ephrem Narikulam was born on December 10, 1960 at Sanjopuram in the Archeparchate of Ernakulam-Angamaly, where he was ordained a priest on December 27, 1986. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Poonamallee and Bangalore, where he earned a doctorate in Spiritual Theology at Saint Peter's pontifical Institute. He speaks Hindi and Marathi, in addition to English and Malayalam.

He was a pastor in Ernakulam and Delhi before serving the Eparchy of Chanda, where he was Rector of the Minor Seminary for seven years. When he was posted in Canada, he held the following positions: Lecturer at the Toronto School of Theology, Coordinator of Toronto Priestly Formation at St. Augustine's Seminary and Chaplain of the Syro-Malabar community.