Mon. Stephen Thottathil, Dean of Theology at the Malankara Major Seminary in Thiruvananthapuram, has been appointed the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Thiruvalla Archdiocese of Malankara Catholic Church on Monday.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Thomas Mar Coorilos, has formally announced the appointment of the new Auxiliary Bishop at a function held at St John’s Cathedral in Thiruvalla on Monday afternoon.
The Malankara Catholic Church Synod had nominated Mon. Thottathil as the new auxiliary Bishop and it was formally approved by Pope Benedict XVI.
The meeting began with a prayer led by senior bishop Geevarghese Mar Themotheos. The Papal declaration was read out by the Chancellor of Thiruvalla Archdiocese, Antony Chethippuzha.
The Archbishop presented Mon. Thottathil with a golden ring and robe and Mon.Cherian Ramanalil Corepiscopa, presented him with a sash on the occasion.
According to the Archbishop, the consecration of the new Auxiliary Bishop will be held in the middle of March.
Mar Joseph Perunthottom, Changanacherry Archbishop, Mr. Joseph M. Puthusserry, MLA, Mr. Cherian Polachirackal, municipal chairman and Fr Thomas Kodinattumkunnel, chief executive officer of Pushpagiri
Medical Society, were among those present on the occasion.
Mon. Thottathil had also served as the Vicar General of Thiruvalla and director of Pushpagiri Hospital, earlier.
