Monsignor Christudas Rajappan was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram at a solemn ceremony held on the premises of the Madre de Deus Church at Vettucaud on Sunday.
Archbishop Soosa Pakiam M. of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram was the principal consecrator of the Episcopal ordination. Kollam Bishop Stanley Roman and Neyyattinkara Bishop Vincent Samuel were the co-consecrators.
'Church has a duty towards the poor'
Delivering the homily, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry elaborated on the responsibilities of the newly ordained Auxiliary Bishop or, in a broader sense, those of the Church. According to him, the Church could not ignore the sufferings of the marginalised sections.
It was the calling of each members of the Church, including the clergy and laity, to go beyond their safe confines to extend a helping hand to all those who were in need. He also recalled the selfless efforts of those who risked their safety in strife-torn regions during their mission to spread the word of compassion and goodwill.
Delivering his address, prior to the commencement of the ceremony, Archbishop Soosa Pakiam prayed for the safety of the Salesian priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted from an old-age home in Yemen.
Verapoly Archbishop Francis Kallarackal and Auxiliary Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios of the Syro-Malankara Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram spoke at the function.
The appointment of Fr. Christudas as Auxiliary Bishop was made during the Holy Mass celebrated to mark the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life, observed by the Church, on February 2. The occasion also coincided with the 26{+t}{+h}anniversary celebrations of the Episcopal Consecration of Archbishop Soosa Pakiam. Hailing from Adimalathura, the Auxiliary Bishop had completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the Papal Seminary in Pune and secured a Doctorate in Missiology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He has been serving as the Parish Priest of St. Thomas Aquinas Church at Kochuthura.
