Bishop Raphael Thattil succeeds George Cardinal Alencherry as the head of the sui iuris Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

The Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church elected Mar Raphael Thattil as the Major Archbishop, a position of great significance within the church. The election took place at St. Thomas Mount in India, and Pope Francis subsequently granted his confirmation in accordance with Canon 153 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO).

The Syro-Malabar Church is a sui iuris church, which means it has its own unique liturgical, theological, spiritual, and disciplinary heritage. Despite its autonomy, the church remains in union with the Roman Pontiff, the Pope.

In a letter responding to Mar Raphael's request for confirmation, Pope Francis expressed his fraternal good wishes and granted the confirmation. He encouraged Mar Raphael to continue the generous and fruitful pastoral ministry of his predecessor and to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

The Pope also offered his prayer that the Holy Spirit would foster unity, fidelity, and the mission of the Syro-Malabar Church under Mar Raphael's guidance, allowing it to grow and flourish.

Alongside the confirmation, the Vatican announced that Mar Bosco Puthur would continue as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly until further provisions are made by the Holy See.

Born on April 21, 1956, in Trichur, India, Mar Raphael Thattil has an impressive background. He attended seminary in Vadavathoor and obtained a Doctorate in Eastern Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. Fluent in Malayalam and English, with knowledge of Italian and German, he was ordained a priest on December 21, 1980.

Over the years, Bishop Raphael Thattil has served in various positions, including Assistant Vicar in Aranattukara, Vice Chancellor of the eparchial Curia, and Director of the Diocesan Biblical Catechetical Liturgical Centre. He has made significant contributions to the growth of the Major Seminary and served as the Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Trichur.

In 2010, he was elected as the Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur, and in 2013, Pope Francis appointed him as the Apostolic Visitor for the faithful of the Syro-Malabar Church residing in India outside their proper territory. Subsequently, in 2017, he was appointed as the first Bishop of the newly established Eparchy of Shamshabad.

Now, with his election as the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Bishop Raphael Thattil takes on a crucial leadership role within the Syro-Malabar Church. With the confirmation from Pope Francis, the church looks forward to his guidance and spiritual support.

The news of Bishop Raphael Thattil's election and confirmation brings great joy and hope to the Syro-Malabar Catholic community worldwide. As he assumes his new responsibilities, the faithful await the continued growth and prosperity of their beloved church under his paternal care.