Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil. Onmanorama/File photoDr Joseph Kalathiparambil was Monday appointed by Pope Francis as the new archbishop of Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) Archdiocese of Verapoly (Varapuzha). His anointment order has been published at Vatican and Varapuzha archdiocese center.
Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil, popularly known as Joyipithavu, has been working as the secretary of Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
The 64-year old bishop replaces archbishop Francis Kallarakal who has retired. Earlier, he had worked as Kozhikode bishop for 9 years.
Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil, a native of Vaduthala in Kochi, had also served as chancellor and vicar-general of of Varapuzha Archdiocese.
He was born to Thressia and Avarachan of Kalathiparambil family on October 6, 1952. He was ordained as a priest on March 13, 1978.
He was appointed bishop of Kozhikode in April, 2002, and consecrated the following month.
Pope Benedict XVI called him to the Vatican in February, 2011, to be the secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil is the first Keralite to have been appointed as a secretary of a pontifical council in Vatican.
