James Raphael Anaparambil

Rt. Rev. Dr. J James Raphael Anaparambil
Bishop of Alleppey
Diocese	Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey
Appointed	7 December 2017
Installed	11 October 2019
Predecessor	Stephen Athipozhiyil
Orders
Ordination	11 February 2018
Rank	Bishop
Personal details
Born	James Raphael Anaparambil (1962-03-07) March 7, 1962 (age 63) Chellanam, Kochi
Nationality	Indian
Denomination	Catholic
Alma mater	Pontifical Urban University

James Raphael Anaparambil (born 7 March 1962 ^[1] ) is an Indian prelate, clergyman and the fourth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey and the Apostolic Administrator sede plena of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cochin.

Biography

Early life

Anaparambil was born on March 7, 1962, as the fifth child of Anaparambil Raphael and Brigit. He completed his primary education at St. Mary's High School, Chellanam and pursued minor seminary studies in Alappuzha, followed by major seminary studies at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. From 1993 to 1998 he pursued higher studies in Biblical Theology at the Urbaniana University, earning a doctoral degree in Jewish culture. He also holds a master's degree in Judaism from the Pontifical Gregorian University. ^[2]

Priesthood

He was ordained priest on December 17, 1986, by Bishop Peter Chenaparambil ^[3] . He later went onto hold various pastoral and academic roles within the Diocese of Alleppey. Early in his ministry, he served as chaplain at St. Thomas Parish in Thumpoly from 1986 to 1987. He later took on administrative responsibilities as Prefect and Procurator of Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Mayithara and as the Diocesan Director of the Vocations Centre from 1989 to 1993.

His academic contributions included teaching Biblical Theology and Hebrew at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary in St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva from 1998 to 2013. During this time, he also held leadership positions, serving as President of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy in Aluva between 2003 and 2006. From 2009 to 2012, he was appointed Rector of St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri.

In addition to his academic roles, Anaparambil was actively involved in diocesan administration. Between 2014 and 2016, he served as the Vicar General for Clergy, Religious, and Seminarians in the Diocese of Alleppey, overseeing the pastoral and spiritual formation of clergy and religious members within the diocese. ^[2]

Bishop of Alleppey

On December 7, 2017, Pope Francis appointed James Raphael Anaparambil as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Alleppey ^[4] , replacing the retiring Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyil. Anaparambil's installation in Alleppey took place on October 11, 2019 ^[5]

Apostolic Administrator of Cochin

On October 12, 2024, Bishop James Raphael Anaparambil of Alleppey was appointed Apostolic Administrator sede plena of the Diocese of Cochin. The diocese became vacant following the retirement of Bishop Joseph Kariyil on March 2, 2024. ^[6]

References

1. "Bishop of Alleppey Diocese James Raphael Anaparambil | UCA News". www.ucanews.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
2. "Rev. Fr. James Raphael Anaparambil appointed as New Coadjutor Bishop of Alleppey". CCBI. 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
3. "About Us - Diocese of Alleppey". www.dioceseofalleppey.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
4. "New Archbishops named for Mexico City and Paris - Vatican News". 2017-12-07. Archived from the original on 2024-10-06. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
5. "Pope appoints a coadjutor bishop to Alleppey Diocese in India - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
6. "News | Catholic Connect". cc.pacifyca.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.

External Links

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey Home Page Archived on February 27, 2025, at the Wayback Machine

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Stephen Athipozhiyil	Bishop of Alleppey 2019–present	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Joseph Kariyil	Apostolic Administrator of Cochin 2024–present	Succeeded by Vacant