Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. John Nellikunnel, till now Secretary of the Corporate Education Agency of the Eparchy of Idukki, as the new Bishop for the Eparchy of Idukki. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has sent their greetings and prayerful wishes to the newly appointed Bishop.
Rev. Fr. John Nellikunnel was born on 22nd March, 1973, at Kadaplamattom, Kerala. He was baptized on 1st April, 1973. He completed his primary education from St. Mary’s School, Mariapuram. He joined St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Kothamangalam on 18th June, 1988 and there completed his Pre-Degree education. He accomplished philosophical and theological studies from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, during 1991-1998. He was ordained priest on 30th December, 1998 at St. Mary’s Church, Mariapuram. He exercised his parish ministry as assistant Vicar in St. Sebastian Church, Nedumkandam, Infant Jesus Church, Kombayar and in St. Mary’s Church, Manjapetty. From 2000 to 2001 he served as assistant Vicar in St. George’s Church, Vazhakkulam. In 2001, from January to June, he was the assistant Vicar in St. Sebastian Church, Thodupuzha. He obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (2001-2003) and Doctorate in Philosophy from Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome (2003-2006). Then he was appointed vicar in St. Thomas Church, Mavady (2007, February to May). From 2007 to 2010 he served as Eparchial Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop. Besides this, he served also as Director of Catechetical Department and Bible Apostolate. In 2010 he was appointed resident staff at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha. Besides this, he served as House Procurator of the Seminary from 2011-2015. From 2015 to 2017 he was Dean of Philosophy at Mangalapuzha Seminary. At present, he is the Secretary of the Corporate Education Agency of the Eparchy of Idukki.
This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Friday, 12th January, 2018, at noon local time, corresponding to 16:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.
