KOCHI: Fr Joseph Kodikallil has been appointed as the new bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Satna in Madhya Pradesh.
An announcement in this regard was made at Vatican at 12:00 noon, and simultaneously at he Syro-Malabar Church headquarters at Kakkanad and at the Satna Bishop’s House.
Fr Kodikallil, who will be the third bishop of Satna, succeeds Mar Mathew Vaniakizhakel, who retired from administrative responsibilities in August 2014. The bishop-elect was serving as rector of the Minor Seminary, Satna. Syro-Malabar Church head Cardinal Mar George Alencherry made the announcement at the Major Archi-episcopal Curia at Kakkanad, while Msgr George Mangalapally made the announcement at the Bishop’s House, Satna.
The bishop-elect was born on December 18, 1965, at Pothanikad in the diocese of Kothamangalam. Having completed formation at Deepti Bhavan, Melamparaand Kristhu Vidyanikethan, Rewad, he studied Philosophy at St Albert’s College, Ranchy, and Theology at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam.
He was ordained a priest at the diocese of Satna on December 31, 1991. He has served as parish priest of Rewad. After securing MTh from Pourasthya Vidyapeetham, Vadavathoor, he was appointed rector of the Minor Seminary. He also served as professor at St Ephrem’s Theological College, Satna. In 2009, he was appointed vicar general and parish priest of St Vincent Cathedral, Satna.
Established in 1977, the Eparchy of Satna has nine parishes, ten mission stations and 15 sub stations, served by 52 priests.