| Bishop Joseph Kariyil was installed as the 35th Bishop of Cochin Diocese at a solemn Mass led by the Archbishop of Varappuzha Daniel Acharuparampil at the Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, on Sunday. The Mass was attended by thousands of people from various parts of Kochi diocese, one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in India.
The Bishop of Punalur Sylvester Ponnumuthen, Bishop of Alappuzha Stephen Athippozhi and Auxiliary Bishop of Varappuzha Joseph Karikkassery were among those who were concelebrants at the solemn Mass. The former Bishop of Vijayapuram Peter Thurithikkonam was also present at the Mass.
Born to Kariyil Kunjuvareethu and Anna of Arthunkal on January 11, 1949, he joined the Mount Carmel Seminary, Fort Kochi, after completing school education. He also studied at St Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary and was ordained priest in 1973.
A doctorate holder in moral theology, he was appointed the Bishop of Punaloor in 2005. He has also served in the parishes under the Kochi Diocese and was the editor of Thalenth Magazine. He was the deputy secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council for eight years.
Before the installation of the new bishop, the decree issued by Pope Benedict XVI appointing Bishop Kariyil to Kochi, was read out in Latin and Malayalam. After this Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil seated him on the throne handed with the sceptre, as a symbol of assuming charge of the diocese.
Dr. Kariyil was given a reception at the entrance to the Santa Cruz Basilica by the faithful and religious and lay representatives of the diocese at 3.15 p. m. He was later led into the Cathedral in a grand procession befitting the occasion.
The Vicar General of the Diocese offered the Crucifix to the new Bishop to kiss as the faithful sang ‘Veni Creator,’ to mark the beginning of the solemn ceremonies.
Photos of Installation Ceremony - www.cochindiocesanbulletin.org/N00138.html |
