.svg)
Mathew Nellikunnel
Mathew Nellikunnel | |
|---|---|
| Bishop-elect of Gorakhpur | |
| Church | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Gorakhpur |
| Appointed | August 26, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Thuruthimattam |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 30, 1998 by George Punnakottil |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Mathew Nellikunnel |
| Born | November 13, 1970 Mariapuram, Kerala, India |
Mar Mathew Nellikunnel is an Indian-born bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church serving as the Bishop-elect of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Gorakhpur succeeding Mar Thomas Thuruthimattam.
Biography[edit]
Early life[edit]
Mathew Nellikunnel was born on November 13, 1970, in the village of Mariapuram in the Indian State of Kerala as the first born of Varkey and Mary Nellikunnel. His Brother John is the Bishop of Eparchy of Idukki, making history as the first set of brothers to serve together in the Synod of Bishops.[1]
Priesthood[edit]
In 1986 he entered the Little Flower Congregation) of the Syro-Malabar Church, and did his formation in the Eparchy of Gorakhpur, giving his vows on 17 May 1990 as a member of the Khrist Jyoti Punjab-Rajasthan Province. When he returned to his home state of Kerala, He received degrees of philosophy in Little Flower Seminary and in theology at the Saint Joseph Pontifical Seminary in Aluva. He was ordained a priest on 30 December 1998 by George Punnakottil of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam, which he was a member of until the bifurcating of the diocese and creation of the Idukki Eparchy. He moved to Rajasthan, where he served as a formator in the minor seminary, superior of the Community and parish priest. In 2005 he studied philosophy in Rome, and was awarded a doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. When he came back to India, He taught at his alma mater for 2 years until he moved to Germany, and served in the Latin Diocese of Regensburg. In 2015, He was provincial superior of the Khrist Jyoti Province until he was appointed to become the rector Little Flower Seminary in 2018.[2]
Bishop[edit]
On August 26, 2023, Pope Francis announced his assent to the Election of Msgr Matthew Nellikunnel to the office of Bishop of Goakhpur by the Syro Malabar Synod of Bishops to succeed the retiring Mar Thomas Thuruthimattam [3]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Fr Matthew Nellikunnel CST Bishop of Gorakhpur Syro Malabar Eparchy" (PDF). Syro Malabar Church. August 26, 2023.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ↑ "From the Eastern Churches". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-08-26). "Meeting of bishops of Syro-Malabar Church ends; committee to hold talks with rebel group on Mass". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-08-26.