Syro-Malabar eparchy created for Great Britain

Aug 04, 2016

INTERNATIONAL: Pope Francis has created the Eparchy of Great Britain of the Syro-Malabars for Indian origin Catholics in the United Kingdom, whose church traces its foundation to St Thomas the Apostle.

It is the first Syro-Malabar eparchy in Europe.

The new eparchy will have the heritage listed St Ignatius Church in the city of Preston, near Liverpool, as its cathedral, the BBC reports.

The church was closed down in December 2014 but has since re-opened as a parish church to serve the Syro-Malabar community.

Bishop Michael Campbell of Lancaster Diocese, which covers Preston, said he welcomed “this exciting news.”

He said the establishment of the new Eparchy is a “clear indication of the care of the Holy See for the thousands of Syro-Malabar Catholics who have settled in Great Britain.”

St Ignatius Church was built in 1836, seven years after the legalisation of Catholicism in England, and was staffed by the Jesuit Order.

The Pope also appointed Fr Joseph (Benny Matthew) Srampickal as the first bishop of the new eparchy, the Vatican Press Office says.

Bishop-elect Srampickal was born in Poovarany, India in 1967 and was ordained a priest in 2000.

He holds a licentiate in biblical theology from the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome, and has served in a number of pastoral roles, including professor at the minor seminary at the Mar Ephrem Formation Centre of Palai, director of the Mar Sleeva Nursing College, Cherpumkal, director of the evangelisation programme, secretary to the bishop, and parish priest.

He is currently vice-rector of the Pontifical Urban College “De Propaganda Fide,” Rome.

Pope Francis also appointed Msgr Stephen Chirappanath as apostolic visitor for Syro-Malabar faithful resident in Europe, and also made him a bishop. -- Global Pulse