Bangalore 14 January 2017: The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, gathered at Mount St. Thomas, Kerala, having received prior Papal Assent according to CCEO canon 184, canonically elected to the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry Rev. Fr. Thomas (Tomy) Tharayil, till now Director of Danahalaya, Institute of Formation, Punnapra, Allapuzha. The Holy Father Pope Francis has assigned to the Auxiliary Bishop-Elect the Titular See of Agrippia. This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Saturday, 14th January, 2017, at noon local time, corresponding to 16:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.
Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil was born on 2nd February, 1972 at Changanacherry in the Archeparchy of Changanacherry. He had his schooling at Changanacherry and his further secular studies at SB College, Changanacherry. He had his priestly formation at St. Thomas Minor Seminary, Kurichy, and philosophical and theological studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He was ordained priest on 1st January, 2000. He was Secretary to Archbishop Joseph Powathil. He has a doctorate in Psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has served as Parochial Vicar at Athirampuzha, Nedumkunnam and Edathua and as Vicar Administrator at Thazhathu Vadakara. He is at present Director of Danahalaya Institute of Formation, Punnapra, Alapuzha.