Ecclesiastical Coordinator of the Extraterritorial Region in Middle East

In consultation with the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church convoked from 5-8 March, 2012 His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos has appointed Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal the Ecclesiastical Coordinator of the Extraterritorial Region in Middle East. He has to oversee the pastoral engagement of the Syro-Malankara Priests and coordinate the pastoral activities of common interest in the Gulf Region.

The appointment of Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal is informed to His Excellency Rt. Rev. Camillo Ballin MCCJ, the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia and His Excellency Rt. Rev. Paul Hinder OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.

Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal is serving the Catholic faithful in Kuwait since January 2011. Till joining the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, he served the Syro-Malankara diocese of Mavelikara in Kerala as its first Vicar General. He served also as Professor of Theology in various theological institutes in India, including St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum, St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva and John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, Changanassery. He is now visiting Professor of Dharmaram Vidyakshetram, Banglore. He holds a doctorate from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome and a Diploma from Pontifical University of Angelicum, Rome.