Joseph Thachaparambath

Contents

Joseph Thachaparambath C.M.I. (born 24 February 1969) is an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic bishop and a member of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. He was elected bishop of the Eparchy of Adilabad by the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church on 28 August 2025, with the prior assent of Pope Leo XIV.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and education

Thachaparambath was born in 1969 in Nalumukku, India, to Lukose Thachaparambath and Eliamma.[5] He holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education, and is currently pursuing doctoral research at Sunrise University, Rajasthan.[6] In 1985, he entered the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.) congregation and pursued studies in philosophy at the Darsana Institute of Philosophy and theology at Dharmaram College, Bangalore.[3]

Priesthood

Thachaparambath was ordained a priest on 4 January 1997.[7] He held several pastoral and administrative roles:

  • Parish ministry in two parishes of the Eparchy of Chanda.[1]
  • Administrative responsibility within the Mar Thoma Province of the C.M.I., serving as provincial economus (2002–2005; 2008–2011; 2014–2017).[1]
  • Economus of the Eparchy of Adilabad (2005–2008; 2017–2023).[1]
  • Superior of the Mar Thoma Province since 2023.[3]

Episcopacy

On 28 August 2025, the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church elected Thachaparambath as bishop of the Eparchy of Adilabad.[2] Pope Leo XIV granted his prior assent to the election.[1][3][4]

The appointment was part of a broader reorganization of the Syro-Malabar Church, which created four new ecclesiastical provinces—Faridabad, Ujjain, Kalyan, and Shamshabad. The Eparchy of Adilabad was made a suffragan of the newly elevated Metropolitan Archeparchy of Shamshabad.[5]

Coverage in the Malayalam-language daily Mathrubhumi included detailed reporting and direct remarks from Thachaparambath, who expressed gratitude to church leaders and the CMI congregation while asking for prayerful support for the diocese’s mission.[8]

His appointment was also reported in Catholic media in India and internationally, including Catholic Connect,[6] the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI News),[9] Omnes Mag in Europe,[10] and UCA News.[11]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5]"Resignations and Appointments, 28 August 2025" (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 28 August 2025.
  2. 2.[2.2]"Pope Leo XIV brings about unity in the Syro-Malabar Church". EWTN Global Catholic Network. 28 August 2025.
  3. 3.[3.2][3.3][3.4]"Carmelite Father Joseph Thachaparambath elected bishop of India's Adilabad eparchy". Catholic News Agency. 29 August 2025.
  4. 4.[4.2]"Syro-Malabar Church carries out reorganisation of its dioceses in India". NewsDrum. Press Trust of India. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  5. 5.[5.2]"Syro-Malabar Synod Elevates Leadership and Expands Mission Across India". Indian Catholic Matters. 28 August 2025.
  6. 6.[6.2]"New Bishops Appointed for Adilabad and Belthangady Eparchies". Catholic Connect. 26 August 2025.
  7. 7."Father Joseph Thachaparambath, C.M.I." Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  8. 8."പുതിയ നിയോഗവുമായ് ഫോ. ജോസഫ് തച്ചോപറമ്പത്തും ഫോ. ജെയിംസ് പട്ടേരിലും". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 29 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  9. 9."Rev. Fr. Joseph Thachaparambath CMI Appointed New Bishop of Adilabad". CBCI News. 30 August 2025.
  10. 10."Appointments in the Dicastery for the Clergy". Omnes. 28 August 2025.
  11. 11."India's Syro-Malabar Church announces 4 new archdioceses". UCA News. 29 August 2025.