Bangalore: The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, gathered at Mount St. Thomas, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, having received prior Papal Assent according to CCEO can. 184, canonically elected to the office of Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Tellicherry, Most Rev. Mar Joseph Pamplany (52), until present Auxiliary of Archeparchy of Tellicherry and Most Rev. Mar Kochupurackal (57) until present Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Palghat, to the Office of Bishop of the same Eparchy and both elections were made public on 15 January 2022.
Archbishop Joseph Pamplany was born on 11 December, 1969, at Charal in the Archeparchy of Tellicherry. After the school studies, and completing his pre degree at Nirmalagiri College, Kuthuparamba, he joined St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Tellicherry (1986-1988). He did his philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye (1988-97). He was ordained Priest on 30th December, 1997. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Peravoor (1998-99) and was Parish Priest at Deepagiri (1999-2001).
From 2001-2006 Archbishop Pamplany did his studies on Sacred Scripture and obtained Doctorate from Leuven University, Belgium. On his return, he was appointed Director of Bible Apostolate in the Archeparchy from 2006 onward. He is the Founder Director of Alpha Institute of Theology from 2007 to 2017. He was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Tellicherry on 1 September, 2017 and Ordained Bishop of 28 November, 2017.
Bishop Peter Kochupurackal was born on 29 May 1964 at Marangoly in the Eparchy of Palai. He joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Kallepully, Palghat in 1981. He had his studies of Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained priest on 19 December1990. He did his MCL at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (1993-1995). His Licentiate and Doctoral studies were in Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (2000-2007).
At present Bishop Kochupurackal is the Judicial Vicar of Eparchial Tribunal (01.07.2007), Chancellor, Eparchy of Palghat (01.10.2013-), and from 10.12.2016 onward he is the Syncellus for seminarians and consecrated persons. He was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Palghat on 15 January 2020 and 18 June 2020.