Kochi: Mar Raphael Thattil was installed as the Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church. The installation ceremony was held at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Church, Mount St Thomas in Kakkanad here, on Thursday.

The ceremony was led by Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal and was attended only by the Synod Fathers, representatives of the lay faithful and religious from the eparchies, Superior Generals and other special guests. The ceremony and the celebration of the Holy Qurbana were broadcast live for everyone to view.

Fr Thattil, the Bishop of Shamshabad, is the fourth Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. He was elected by the Synod of Bishops after Pope Francis, the head of Catholic Churches, accepted the resignation of Cardinal George Alencherry from the respective post. Fr Alenchery resigned on December 7, 2023.
"The election was formally announced simultaneously at the Vatican and Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St Thomas at Kakkanad," a statement issued by the Church on Wednesday said.

Bishop Raphael Thattil, 67, was born in Thrissur. He was ordained a priest in 1980 by Mar Joseph Kundukulam, in Dolours Basilica, Thrissur, the statement added. 

Fr Thattil was consecrated Bishop in 2010 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Thrissur and Titular Bishop of Brunie. In 2014, he was appointed as Apostolic Visitator for the Syro-Malabar. Pope Francis named him the first Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Shamshabad in 2017.