Syro-Malabar Rite Eparchy established in Great Britain

Fr Joseph Srampickal

Pope Francis has today announced the creation of an Eparchy in Great Britain for the faithful of the Syro-Malabar Rite. The Syro-Malabar Church is an early Christian community in India which traces its origin to the arrival of St Thomas, the Apostle, in 52 AD.

The Eparchy which is a jurisdiction similar to a Diocese will be governed by an Eparch. The Pope has appointed Fr Joseph Srampickal, a priest of the Eparchy of Palai, at present Vice-Rector of Propaganda Fide College as the first Eparch.

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern (Oriental) Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. It is the second largest Eastern Catholic Church after the Ukrainian Church and the largest of the St Thomas Christian (Nazrani) denominations with 4.6 million believers.

Cardinal Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: "One of the most enriching aspects of our Catholic life is the diversity of expressions of our faith. This has become more and more apparent over recent years with many people from around the world making their home in our countries. The new Eparchy will be a true blessing to all of the faithful in our parishes and schools from the Syro-Malabar community; many of our churches are blessed with the presence of so many families from Kerala that this generous gift of the Holy Father will serve to strengthen relations between us."

Bishop Michael Campbell, Bishop of Lancaster, in whose diocese the new Syro-Malabar Cathedral will be, said: "In 2015, when the St Thomas Catholic community (Syro-Malabar community) took possession of St Ignatius, Preston in our diocese, there was great joy. St Ignatius is a fine church and will be a most suitable Cathedral for the Eparchy. The strength of the Syro-Malabar community lies in their strong faith and family life and I hope that this creative initiative by the Pope will reinforce their commitment to the faith and the life they lead in witnessing to the Gospel."

There are currently five Syro-Malabar chaplains in Scotland serving communities in the dioceses of: St Andrews and Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dunkeld, Glasgow and Motherwell.

Commenting on the announcement, the President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia said: "The Bishops' Conference of Scotland welcomes the establishment by Pope Francis of an Eparchy for the Syro-Malabar Catholic communities of Great Britain including those in Scotland. We congratulate Fr Joseph Srampickal, on his nomination as the first Eparch (Bishop) of this new ecclesiastical jurisdiction."

"The Catholic Church in Scotland shares the joy of our Syro-Malabar communities which are notable for their religious devotion and for the seriousness with which they regard Catholic family life and the transmission of the faith to their young people and children."

Mgr Joseph (Benny Mathew) Srampickal was born on May 30, 1967 in Poovarany, in the Eparchy of Palai. He entered the minor seminary and he studied philosophy at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, and theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in biblical theology. He continued his studies at Oxford (England). He speaks Malayalam, English, Italian and German.

Ordained a priest on August 12, 2000, he has held the following positions: Professor at the minor seminary and Ephrem Formation Centre of Pala; Director of the Mar Sleeva Nursing College, Cherpumkal; Director of the Evangelization Programme; Secretary of the Bishop; Pastor at Urulikunnam. From 2013, he has been Vice Rector of the Pontifical Urbaniana College of the Propaganda Fide, Rome.

Source: SCMO/CCN