Kakkanad: Fr. Peter Kochupurakkal and the first meeting of the 28th Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church were elected. After the Pope’s approval of the Synod’s decisions, Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Father and Head of the Church, signed new appointments.
The announcement was made on January 15, the last day of the Synod, at 12 noon in the Italian Vatican and at 4.30 pm in Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, the headquarters of the Syro Malabar Church. The appointments of the new bishops were announced at the conclusion of the five-day Synod. The meeting of the Synod on the closing day of the Synod was attended by 58 bishops and invited dignitaries, many clergymen and devotees.
Major Archdiocese Chancellor Fr. Vincent Cheruvathur read the new assignments. The Major Archbishop and the departed Bishop Mar Mathew Arakkal congratulated Mar Jose Pulikal, the appointed bishop of the diocese of Kanjirapally. The diocese of Palakkad appointed Fr. Peter Kochupurakkal, with the Major Archbishop and the Bishop of Palakkad, Mar Jacob Manathodam, symbolized the position of Bishop. The bishops, bishops, clergymen, clergy, sisters and dignitaries conveyed their greetings.
Mar Mathew Arakkal, the third bishop of the diocese of Kanjirappally, has resigned from the age of 75 on December 10, 2019, following the resignation of the canonical process. Mar Mathew Arakkal was consecrated Bishop of Kanjirappally on 9th February 2001. Mar Mathew Arakkal retires after 18 years of leading the diocese of Kanjirappally in ways of growth and development.
The Synod selected Palakkad Diocese to seek the assistance of the Diocese of Palakkad for assistance in the administration of the Diocese of Palakkad. Fr. Mar Jose Pulikal was elected the bishop of Kanjirappally and Fr. The ecclesiastical order stated that the date of the baptism of Peter Kochupurakkal will be announced later.
