Bangalore 10 January 2024 (CCBI): The Holy Father Pope Francis granted the confirmation, requested in accordance with canon 153 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches by Mar Raphael Thattil (67), Bishop of Shamashabad who was canonically elected Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, meeting held at Mount Saint Thomas, Kakkanad, Kochi, Kerala, India.
The Session of the Synod which started on 8 January 2024, having completed the canonical procedures of electing the new Major Archbishop on the second day, sent the Synodal letter addressed to the Holy Father Pope Francis, through the Apostolic Nunciature, signed by all the participants of the Session, together with the letter of the Major Archbishop-elect, in his own handwriting, requesting the confirmation of the Holy Father for his election. Having received the confirmation of the Holy Father, the Major Archbishop-elect made the profession of faith and act of fidelity before the Synod Fathers. Then the election Session of the Synod was concluded and the Synod Fathers proceeded to announcement of the election of the Major Archbishop. On Wednesday, at 4.30 pm on 10 January 2024, Archbishop Mar Moolakkatt, the president of the Election Session, announced that Bishop Raphael Thattil, currently the Bishop of Shamshabad, is elected the fourth Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
He was born to Ouseph and Thresia on 21 April 1956 and was baptized on 30 April 1956 in Thrissur. Lazar (late), Thomas, Baby (late) Francis, Sosannam, Joy and John, are his brothers and sisters. After his primary education at St. Thomas College HS, Thrissur, he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope on 04 July 1971. He completed his study of Philosophy and Theology in St. Thomas Ap. Seminary Kottayam in 1980. He was ordained by Mar Joseph Kundukulam in Thrissur Doloures Basilica. on 21 December 1980. He did his higher studies in Rome and took doctorate in Oriental Canon Law. His thesis was on “Clerical Formation in the Syro Malabar Church: A Historico-Juridical Study”.
After his ordination he served as Asst. Vicar, Aranattukara (1981-82), Fr. Prefect & Asst. Procurator, St Mary’s Minor Seminary (1982-83), Acting Vicar, Koonammoochy (1983), Acting Vicar, Cherumkuzhy (1983). On returning back from Rome, he served in the Archbishop’s house as Vice Chancellor, Chancellor, Adj. Judicial Vicar, Judge and later as Syncellus and Proto-Syncellus. He was the director of DBCLC & Catechism (1992-1995). On 20 January1998, he was appointed as the project officer of the new Marymatha Major Seminary, after a few months appointed as the first Rector of the Marymatha Seminary (1998-2006). He also worked as president and member of many a committees and commissions.
He was ordained as Bishop on 10 April 2010 and appointed as Auxiliary bishop of Trichur and Titular Bishop of Bruni. In 2014, he was appointed as Apostolic visitor for the Syro-Malabar faithful residing outside the territorium proprium. Pope Francis named him the first Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Shamshabad on 10 October 2017 and he was installed on 7 January 2018.
The installation of the Major Archbishop will be he held at 2.30 pm on Thursday, 11 January 2024, at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malabar Church, Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI