PANAJI
Archbishop of Goa and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão ordained Msgr. Antony Kattiparampil as the 36th Bishop of the diocese of Cochin in Kerala.
While Cardinal Ferrão was the principal consecrator, Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly and Bishop Joseph Kariyil, the Bishop Emeritus of Cochin, were co-consecrators.
Incidentally, Cardinal Ferrão’s presence as the principal consecrator also symbolised the historical relations between the dioceses of Goa and Cochin.
Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil of the Syro-Malabar Church, President of the CBCI Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, and President of the Kerala Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council Archbishop Dr Varghese Chakkalakal conveyed their greetings.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Thalassery and Vicar of the Major Archbishop for Ernakulam–Angamaly Mar Joseph Pamplany delivered the homily. Apostolic Administrator of Cochin Bishop James Raphael Anaparambil welcomed the gathering.
During the Mass, the Bishop-elect publicly declared his willingness to accept the episcopal office. This was followed by the Litany of the Saints and the laying on of hands.
Cardinal Ferrão then vested the new Bishop with the ring and mitre. He handed over the pastoral staff and seated him on the Cathedra, the chair of authority.
The concelebrant bishops then gave the kiss of peace, and representatives of the clergy, religious, and laity greeted the new Bishop.
The Eucharistic celebration was continued by the newly ordained Bishop. Thousands gathered at the Santacruz Ground to receive their shepherd after a wait of one-and-a-half years.
Bishop Antony Kattiparampil becomes the fifth indigenous Bishop since the Diocese was established in 1557.
According to Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, secretary to Cardinal Ferrão, when the diocese of Goa (created in 1533) was raised to an archdiocese in 1557, it gained two suffragan or subordinate dioceses: Cochin and Malacca.
“The jurisdiction of the Bishop of Cochin extended over the Malabar Coast, the whole of South India, Sri Lanka, the Coromandel Coast in eastern India and Burma. The Diocese went on decreasing in size until it was reduced to its present size, having been governed by 23 Portuguese bishops till 1950, when the first Indian Bishop, Joseph Kureethara, was given charge of the diocese,” said Fr Pereira.
