New Chanda bishop visits mother diocese

The new bishop was the chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Community in Toronto (Canada) when his appointment came.

Kochi:  Newly ordained Bishop Ephrem Nariculam of Chanda will visit his mother diocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and attend a reception organized for him today.

The bishop ordained on Oct. 24 will be received at the Cathedral of the Syro-Malabar Church in Ernakulam today morning. He and all the senor bishops are scheduled to concelebrate a Mass.

Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencharry, Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath, Bishop Jose Puthenveetil, Bishop Thomas Chakiat, priests and religious of the archdiocese will attend the mass besides representatives from all the parishes.

Latin rite Archbishop Francis Kallarackal of Varapoly will preach homily at the mass.

The reception program also includes a public meeting.

Bishop Nariculam was born on December 10, 1960 at Sanjopuram parish in the Archeparchate of Ernakulam-Angamaly, where he was ordained a priest on December 27, 1986.

Pope Francis in August appointed him as the new prelate of Chanda diocese after accepting resignation of Bishop Vijay Anand Nedumpuram as he reached 75, the canonical age of retirement.

The new bishop has been the chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Community in Toronto (Canada) when his appointment came.