Pope approves new dioceses, appointments for Syro-Malankara Church

(January 26, 2010) Pope Benedict on Monday approved the creation of two new dioceses, the appointment of four new bishops and the transfer of three others in the eastern-rite Syro-Malankara Catholic Church based in southern India’s Kerala state. The new dioceses are Pathanamthitta in Kerala and Puthur in neighbouring Karnataka state. Bishop Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom of Marthandam will head the new diocese Pathanamthitta, which was carved out of Mavelikara archdiocese. Bishop Geevarghese Mar Divannasios of Bathery will head Puthur diocese. Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, the Church’s apostolic visitor to North America and Europe, has been assigned Bathery diocese. Father Vincent Kulapuravilai is the new bishop of Marthandam diocese. Fr. Samuel Kattukallil has been appointed the auxiliary of Trivandrum Archdiocese and Father Stephen Thottathil is the auxiliary of Tiruvalla Archdiocese. The Malankara rite Church has received a new curial bishop in the person of Father Antony Valiyavilayil. The Syro-Malankara Church is one of the two Oriental Churches in India. The other is the Syro-Malabar Church. Both are based in Kerala. The Catholic Church in India comprises the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Cleemis, is the head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.