Kochi :
Pope Francis has appointed two new bishops for expatriate Syro-Malabar Christians in Europe. Fr Joseph Srampickal of the Pala diocese has been appointed bishop of the newly-formed diocese in Britain, while Msgr Stephen Chirapanath of the Irinjalakkuda diocese has been appointed apostolic visitator to the whole Europe.
The announcement in this regard was made on Thursday simultaneously at Mount St Thomas, headquarters of the Church, and in Vatican.
Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat, Irinjalakkuda Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookakadan and Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Mar Jose Puthenveetil were also present. After the announcement, Syro-Malabar Church head Mar George Cardinal Alencherry adorned the bishop-elects with episcopal insignia.
Born to Srampickal Mathew and Elikutty of Urulikunnam under the Pala diocese, Fr Srampickal had his seminary formation at the Good Shepherd Seminary, Pala, and pursued philosophical studies at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. Fr Srampickal was ordained priest on August 12, 2000, by Bishop Joseph Pallikkaparampil.
He had his schooling at Valiyakottaram LP School, St George’s UP School and St Joseph’s High School Vilakumadam.
Later, he pursued Pre-degree and PG at Pala St Thomas College, and went on to pursue BEd and MEd. In addition, he secured Masters Degree in Oriental Theology from Oxford University. He had served as teacher at the Eparchial Minor Seminary, Pala; Mar Ephrem Formation Centre; and Pala St Thomas Training College.
He is the founder-director of Cherpunkal Mar Sleeva Nursing College and Mount Nebo Retreat Centre, Wagamon. He had also served as secretary of the Eparchial Medical Education Trust, Pala, and as secretary to Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt. Later, he was appointed vice-rector of the Pontifical Urban College De Propaganda Fide, Rome.Fr Srampickal had pastoral ministry at St Alphonsa Parish, Kankanady, Karnataka, and in England during his studies.
Fr Stephen Chirapanath, who has been appointed the apostolic visitator for Europe, has been serving in Rome as the procurator of the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and coordinator for the Syro-Malabar faithful in Italy for the last five years. He is also a member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese of Rome, representing priests serving migrant communities from different countries.
Msgr Chirapanath was born to Kavalakkattu Chirapanath Paul and Rosy on December 26, 1961, at Puthenchira under the Irinjalakkuda diocese. After schooling, he had his minor seminary formation at St Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope.
He pursued philosophical and theological studies at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He was ordained priest on December 26, 1987, by Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil.
After ministry as assistant parish priest at St Mary’s Forane Church, Chalakudy, and St Joseph’s Church Aloor; and Father Prefect at St Paul’s Minor Seminary, Msgr Chirapanath was sent to Rome for higher studies. He secured Doctorate in Moral Theology from Alphonsian Academy under the Lateran University.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / July 29th, 2016