Bangalore 1 May 2023 (CCBI): His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Alex Joseph Vadakumthala (63) Bishop of Kannur, Kerala as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese Kottapuram and accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Joseph Karikkassery (77) from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Kottapuram. This provision was made public on 1 May 2023.
Bishop Alex was born on 14 June 1959 at Pangand in Ernakulam district and ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Verapoly on 19 December 1984. He was appointed the Bishop of Kannur on 1 February 2014 and ordained Bishop on 23 March 2014.
Bishop Joseph Karikkassery was born on 13 February 1946 at Karuthedom in Vypin Island, Ernakulam district. He was ordained priest on 19 December 1973 for the Archdiocese of Verapoly. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Verapoly on 12 November 2006 and and the Titular Bishop of Buxentum. He was ordained Bishop on 28 December 2006. He was appointed as the second Bishop of Kottapuram on 18 December 2010 and installed as the Bishop of Kottapuram on 13 February 2011.
The diocese of Kottapuram has a population of about 96,950 Latin Catholics and the area of 3300 sq. km. The diocese has 61 parishes, 132 diocesan priests, 92 religious priests and 253 female religious and 108 educational institutions.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI