Pope Names Rector of Syro-Malabar Cathedral in Bellwood, Illinois, as auxiliary bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has named Father Joy Alappat, 58, vicar of Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, as auxiliary bishop of that diocese. The appointment was publicized in Washington, July 24 by Msgr.

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has named Father Joy Alappat, 58, vicar of Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, as auxiliary bishop of that diocese.

The appointment was publicized in Washington, July 24 by Msgr. Angelo Accattino, Chargé d’Affaires at the apostolic nunciature to the United States.

Father Joy Alappat was born in Parappukara, India, in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda (Kerala) on September 27, 1956. He attended St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor and was ordained a priest December 31, 1981. After ordination he continued his master’s level studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Institute, Aluva, and Adheva University, Wattair.

Bishop-elect Alappat served in pastoral assignments in Chalakudy, Mala, and at the Eparchial Cathedral. He also served as chaplain of the Syro-Malabar community in Chennai before being transferred to the United States in 1993.

From 1999-2002, while chaplain at Georgetown University Medical Center, he completed the Clinical Pastoral Education Program. He also has held pastoral assignments in New Milford, Connecticut; and Newark and Garfield, New Jersey.

He has been rector of the Eparchial Cathedral in Bellwood, Illinois, since 2011.
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