Bangalore 1 September 2017 (CCBI): The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, gathered at Mount St. Thomas, Kerala, having received prior Papal Assent according to CCEO can. 184, canonically elected to the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Trichur, Rev. Fr. Tony Neelankavil, till now Rector of Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur. The Auxiliary Bishop-Elect has been assigned the Titular See of Masuccaba. This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Friday, 1st September, 2017.
Rev. Fr. Tony Neelankavil was born on 23rd July, 1967, at Valappad, in the Archeparchy of Trichur. After the school studies, he joined Trichur Minor Seminary in 1984. He had his Philosophy and Theology course from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor (1986-1993). He was ordained Priest on 27th December, 1993. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Ollur (1994-95) and Palayur (1995). Then he was sent for higher studies in Leuven, Belgium, where he took Licentiate in 1997 and Doctorate in Theology in 2002. He joined as Professor at Marymatha Major Seminary in 2002 and served the Seminary as Animator, Dean of Studies, Lecturer of Systematic Theology, Director of Mary Matha Publications, Spiritual Father, etc. He served the Archeparchy of Trichur as member of Theological Commission, Chaplain of different formation centres and convents, member of Presbyteral Council, etc.
He was the Pro-Vicar of Manjakkunnu (2003-2005) and Priest-in-charge of Nadampadam Station Church (2012-2014). From March 2017 he is the Rector of Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur. He is also member of the Theology Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church and of the Liturgical Research Centre. He was also member of CBCI Bishops-Theologians Colloquium. He is proficient in Malayalam, English and German.