Vatican Information
FROM THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES
Vatican City, 10 November 2012 (VIS) - The Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, meeting at Mount St. Thomas near Kerala, India, with the prior assent of the Holy Father has canonically elected Fr. George Madathikandathil as bishop of Kothamangalam of the Syro-Malabars (area 1,840, population 787,100, Catholics 230,760, priests 282, religious 2,494), India. The bishop-elect was born in Purapuzha, India in 1956 and ordained to the priesthood in 1980. He taught Canon Law at the St. Thomas Pontifical Seminary of Vadavathor, where he also served as vice-rector and then rector. He is currently pastor of St. Mary's Church in Arakuzha. He succeeds Bishop George Punnakottil, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same eparchy the synod accepted, in accordance with canon 210 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

CBCI information Kothamangalam

In the light of the Communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I wish to inform you that the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church gathered at Mount St. Thomas, Kerala, has canonically elected Rev. Fr. George Madathikandathil as Eparch of Kothamangalam, after receiving prior Pontifical assent. The newly elected Eparch succeeds Right Reverend George Punnakottil, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the above mentioned Eparchy was accepted by the Synod according to CCEO 210 § 1. 

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Thursday, 10^th January, 2013, at noon local time, corresponding to 16:30 hours, Indian Standard Time. 

Date of Birth: 09/05/1956 

Date of Ordination: 23/12/1980

Studies: Philosophy-Carmelgiri Alwaye (1974 1977), Theology-Mangalapuzha Alwaye (1977 1980)

Higher Studies: P.D.C., B.Th., Doctorate (Oriental Institute Rome-1984 1989)