User talk:Midhunpaul.mpc

Pope Francis appointed Mgr. Stephen Chirapanath from the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda as the Apostolic Visitator with Episcopal character, for the Syro-Malabar faithful in Europe. The official publication of this appointment was made in the Vatican today (Thursday, 28 July 2016) at 12.00 p.m. Italian time and simultaneously at 3.30 p.m. IST at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. At Kakkanad, the announcement was made by the Major Archbishop. After the announcement, the Major Archbishop George Cardinal Alencherry and Bishop Pauly Kannookadan, Bishop of Irinjalakuda adorned the Bishop-elect with the insignia of Episcopacy.

Mgr. Chirapanath was born on 26 December 1961 at Puthenchira in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda as the seventh child of the eight children of Late Mr. Paul and Late Mrs. Rosy Kavalakkat-Chirapanath. He had his school education at Holy Family L.P. School, Puthenchira, St. Mary’s U.P. School, Kuzhikattussery, and Rural High School, Thumboor. He had his Minor Seminary formation at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope, Trichur, Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He was ordained priest on 26 December 1987 by Bishop James Pazhayattil. After his ministry as Assistant Parish Priest in St. Mary’s Forane Church, Chalakudy and St. Joseph’s Church, Aloor and as Father Prefect in St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Irijalakuda, Mgr. Chirapanath was sent to Rome for higher studies from where he obtained Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy of the Lateran University.

On his return from Rome, Mgr. Chirapanath has rendered his service as the Director of various Pious Associations, Secretary of the Eparchial Pastoral Council, Judge in Matrimonial Tribunal, General Convener of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 celebrations, Assistant Director of BLM, Director of Navachaitanya-Sanjo Bhavan, Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Paduvanagar and Rector, St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Irinjalakuda. He also served in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor as Lecturer, Vice-Rector and Procurator. He had been a Visiting Professor at Mary Matha Major Seminary, Thirssur and Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kunnoth.

Pope Francis nominated him Apostolic Visitator, as he was serving in Rome as the Procurator of the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church at the Apostolic See, Co-ordinator for the Syro-Malabar faithful in Italy and Parish Priest of the Syro-Malabar faithful in Rome for the past five years. He will be continuing the ministry of the Procurator of the Major Archbishop at the Apostolic See. He is also a member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese of Rome representing the priests serving the migrant communities from different countries residing in Rome.