vatican.va - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Eparchy Saint Thomas the Apostle of Chicago of the Syro-Malabars (U.S.A.) presented by H.E.R. Jacob Angadiath.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop of the Eparchy Saint Thomas the Apostle of Chicago of the Syro-Malabars (U.S.A.) H.E.R. Joy Alappat, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the same circumscription, transferring him from the titular See of Bencenna.

Curriculum vitae

S.E.R. Joy Alapat was born on 27 September 1956 in the Parappukara area, in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda (Kerala). After his priestly training at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, he was ordained a priest on December 31, 1981. He earned his Masters in Theology from St. Joseph's Pontifical Institute, Aluva, and Adheva University, Wattair.

He has carried out the following ministerial positions: Pastoral in Chalakudy, Mala, and in the Eparchial Cathedral; Chaplain of the Syro-Malabar community in Chennai. Before moving to the United States in 1993 and while he was chaplain at Georgetown University, he completed Clinical Pastoral Education.

He has held other pastoral assignments in New Milford (Connecticut), Newark and Garfield (New Jersey). From 2011 until his episcopal appointment he was Vicar of the Eparchial Cathedral in Bellwood (Illinois).

Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy Saint Thomas the Apostle of Chicago of the Syro-Malabars on 24 July 2014, he received episcopal consecration on 27 September of the same year.

In addition to Malayalam and English, he knows Indian and Tamil.

[01049-EN.01]

[B0514-XX.01]