Pope Benedict XVI appoints New Bishop to Kottapuram (India)

(December 18, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI appointed on Saturday Bishop Joseph Karikkassery, who has been the Auxiliary Bishop of Verapoly, as the Bishop of Kottapuram (India). He was born in Kerala on February 13th, 1946 and was ordained priest on December 19, 1973. He has been Vice Rector of St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, and Rector of the Minor Seminary, Kalamassery. Later in 2006 he became Vicar General of Archdiocese of Verapoly. He was nominated Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Verapoly on November 25th, 2006. The Diocese of Kottapuram lies in the civil districts of Ernakulam, Trichur, Malapuram and Palghat of Kerala state. The diocese covers the area of 3300 square kilometres with 86 thousand Catholics. The diocese has nearly 50 parishes with 90 diocesan priests and 15 religious priests and 280 religious.