Pope erects Syro-Malankara Apostolic Exarchate in US

(July 14,2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday erected the Apostolic Exarchate for the faithful of the Syro-Malankara rite in the United States, and appointed as it’s head Fr. Thomas Naickamparampil, giving him the titular bishopric of Lares. The new Exarch was also appointed the Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malankara faithful in Canada and Europe. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is one of three rites of the Indian Catholic Church. The other two rites being the Syro-Malabar and Latin rites.
Fr. Naickamparampil was born in Mylapra , Kerala 6th June 1961. After completing his studies in theology and philosophy at Jnanadeepa in Pune, India, he took his doctorate in philosophy in Rome. He was ordained priest 29 December, 1986 and appointed the role of assistant to parish priest, and later parish priest in several parishes. He also served as Dean and Professor of philosophy at St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary. At the time of his new appointment, he was holding the post of Secretary General of the Major Archbishopric of the Syro-Malankara Church. Fr..Naickamparampil is fluent in Malayalam, English, German, Italian and Hindi, and knows the Syrian language, Greek and French.
There is a large number of faithful of the Syro-Malankara rite in the United States. They are also found in Ontario, Canada. They have 16 churches and 15 priests and two Religious Congregations that work in the area. There are plans for the opening of new convents. The seat of the Syro-Malankara Excharate is in New York .