Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas Re-Elected as CBCI Vice President, Showcasing Continued Leadership and Vision

Bangalore, February 6, 2024: In the assembly held by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas has been re-elected as its second Vice President, alongside Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath of Trichur, who retains his position as President, Archbishop George Antonysamy as the first Vice President, and Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi as the Secretary General. This election underscores the trust and confidence the CBCI places in Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas’s leadership, particularly at a time when the Church navigates the complexities of the modern socio-political landscape and the advent of artificial intelligence.

Born on May 13, 1952, in Vadaserikkara, Pathanamthitta, Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas’s journey in priesthood began with his ordination on December 23, 1978, after completing his theological studies at the Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye. His ministry has spanned various capacities, from serving in parishes to contributing academically as a lecturer in economics at Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum. His leadership roles extended to being the ecclesiastical district vicar of Trivandrum and vicar of St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church, Pattom. Notably, his engagement with broader societal issues was evident through his tenure as a senate member of Kerala University and his involvement with the School Curriculum Committee of Kerala.

Appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Trivandrum and apostolic visitator to North America and Europe by Pope John Paul II in 2005, Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas was later installed as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Bathery in 2010. His re-election as the CBCI Vice President is a testament to his enduring commitment to the Church’s mission and his visionary approach to addressing both ecclesiastical and societal challenges.

The 36th General Body meeting of the CBCI, concluding on February 7, 2024, focuses on “Church’s Response to the Current Socio-Political Situation in the Country and the Benefits and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,” reflecting the Church’s proactive stance on contemporary issues. Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas’s re-election is particularly significant in this context, highlighting his role in guiding the Church’s response to these challenges.

As the CBCI serves as the assembly of the Bishops of the Latin, Syro Malabar, and Syro Malankara sui iuris Churches in India, Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas’s leadership exemplifies the unity and diversity within the Church. His re-election not only marks a continuation of his valuable service but also reaffirms his influential role in shaping the Church’s direction in India’s evolving socio-political and technological landscape.

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, along with the wider Christian community, celebrates this moment, recognizing Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas’s contributions and looking forward to his continued guidance and wisdom in the years ahead.