Dr. Joseph Karikkassery Appointed as the Bishop of Kottapuram 18 December 2010, Kochi, Kerala, India: Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Verapoly, the bishop of Kottapuram diocese of Latin Rite, Kerala, India. The Papal decree was made public in the Verapoly Metropolitan Latin Archbishop’s House Kochi on 18th December 2010 at 4.30pm by the Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarakal the Metropolitan Archbishop of VerapolyBefore specially invited delegates and presbyteral as well as pastoral council members of the Archdiocese. Simultaneously the declaration was also made in the Kottapuram Bishop’s House at Kodungalloor in Trichur district of Kerala by Rev. Dr. Nixon Kattassery the chancellor of the diocese. His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Joseph Karikkassery hails from Karthedom, one of the largest parishes in the island of Vypin. He was born on 13th February 1946. On May 31st, 1960 he joined the minor seminary at Ernakulam. Later, having completed the philosophical studies of three years at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva, he started theological studies at Mangalapuzha Pontifical Seminary that lasted another four years. On December 19, 1973 he was ordained priest by the then Archbishop of Verapoly Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Kelanthara. He served as assistant parish priest at Kottapuram St. Micheal’s Church for three years and as vicar at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Elamkulam for five years. Then he was appointed Director of the Holy Angel Institute, Kalamassery. These five years he lived in the orphanage attached to it, with the orphans there. Later, he rendered meritorious service as parish priest at Perumanoor, Palarivattom, Chathiyath, Cheranellor and Kuttikattukara. These are some of the largest and important parishes in the Archdiocese. He has also served as the Vice Rector of St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, where he completed his philosophical studies. In March 2002 he was made the Rector of the Minor Seminary Kalamassery. On February 1, 2006 he was made the Vicar General of Archdiocese of Verapoly. He was nominated Auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Verapoly and titular bishop of Buxentum (Capo Della Foresta) by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on November 25th, 2006. The Episcopal ordination took place at the National Shrine – Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam on December 28, 2006. The chief celebrant of the Episcopal ordination was Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil. He assumed the office of the Archdiocesan Administrator on October 26, 2009 at the unexpected demise of Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil and served in this capacity till April 10, 2010 on which date Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarakal, the then Bishop of Kottapuram, was installed as Archbishop of Verapoly. Bishop Karikkassery is the Vice Chairman of KCBC’s Laity and Labour Commissions. He also serves as Chairman of KRLCBC’s Laity Commission.