Tony Neelankavil
Mar Tony Neelankavil is an Indian Catholic auxiliary bishop and titular bishop of Masuccaba. He is the third and the present Auxiliary Bishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur from October 2017. He was nominated as the Auxiliary Bishop succeeding Mar Raphael Thattil on 30 September 2017 and was ordained to the office on 18 November 2017 by Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath assisted by Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy and Mar Raphael Thattil.
His Excellency Tony Neelankavil | |
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Auxiliary Bishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur & Titular bishop of Massuccaba | |
Province | Kerala |
Diocese | Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur |
Installed | 18 November 2017 |
Predecessor | Mar Raphael Thattil |
Orders | |
Ordination | 27 December 1993 |
Consecration | 18 November 2017 |
Rank | Auxiliary Bishop |
Personal details | |
Born | Valappad, Kerala, India | 23 July 1967
Nationality | Indian |
Denomination | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
Residence | Catholic Archbishop’s House, Thrissur |
Parents | Prof. Chevalier N.A Ouseph Mrs. T.J Mary |
Early life
Neelankavil was born on 23 July 1967, at Valappad, as the eldest son among the five children of Chevalier N.A Ouseph and T.J Mary in the Archeparchy of Trichur. He belongs to Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral Trichur. Neelankavil had his school education at St. Raphael's Lower Primary School, Ollur and Latin Convent U.P. School, Trichur and Model High School for Boys, Trichur. After having completed his Pre-Degree Course at St. Thomas College, Thrissur, he joined St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Trichur in 1984.
Career
Neelankavil had his Philosophy and Theology course from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor (1986-1993). He was ordained priest on 27 December 1993. He served as assistant parish priest at St. Antony's Forane Church Ollur (1994–95) and St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayoor (1995). Then he was sent for higher studies in Leuven, Belgium, Catholic University, KU Leuven where he took licentiate in 1997 and Doctorate in Theology in 2002. He joined as professor at Marymatha Major Seminary in 2002 and served the Seminary as animator, Dean of Studies, lecturer of systematic theology, spiritual father and Director of Marymatha Publications. He served the Archeparchy of Trichur as a member of the Theological Commission, chaplain of different formation centers and convents, and a member of Presbyteral Council. He also served as chaplain of Jesus Fraternity (Prison ministry) at Special Sub-Jail, Trichur. He has founded Pastoral Animation Research and Outreach Centre - PAROC Research Centre of the Seminary, a new venture to re-visualize the pastoral ministry in the present context and to train pastoral leaders from the clergy, the religious and the laity. Neelankavil is a well-known orator, writer and theologian. He was also member of the Theology Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church and of the Liturgical Research Centre. He was also a member of CBCI Bishops-Theologians Colloquium. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Doctrinal Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference, Chairman of the Doctrinal Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church, Chairman of the Liturgical Research Centre, the Episcopal member of the Synodal Commission for St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva and the Episcopal member of the Health Commission of the KCBC. He is proficient in Malayalam, English, and German.[1][2][3]
References
Further reading
- "From the Eastern Churches". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- Cheney, David M. "Bishop Tony Neelankavil [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 21 November 2017.