Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC appointed as the new Bishop of St. Ephrem Khadki Pune Region

In a historic announcement on December 12, 2023, at 4:30 PM IST, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC, the esteemed Superior General of Bethany Ashram, as the new Bishop of the Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchy of St. Ephrem in the Khadki Pune Region.

Biographical Insights:

• Born in 1963 in Rupathani, Moovattupuzha, Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC hails from the Malankara Syrian Catholic Idavaka of Pooyappally St. James.
• After joining the Bethany Missionary Ashram in 1979, he pursued his philosophy and theology studies at Pune Papal Seminary, culminating in his ordination as a priest on October 9, 1989.
• Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC furthered his academic journey with postgraduate and doctoral studies in theology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Ecclesiastical Achievements:

• As a distinguished scholar and spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC has been a fervent advocate for the preservation and promotion of the Syriac heritage of the Malankara Church.
• His dedication to ecumenical dialogue is evident through his involvement in the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Academic Contributions:

• Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC’s scholarly pursuits include a Ph.D. in Syriac Studies from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. Noteworthy publications include “The Anaphora of Mar Theodore of Mopsuestia: A Study and Translation” (2017) and “The Syriac Liturgical Heritage of the Malankara Church” (2020).

Current Responsibilities:

• Serving as the Superior and Rector of Bethany Ashram in Pune, he oversees seminarian formation and pastoral activities in Malankara parishes around Pune.
• Additionally, he holds the position of a resident professor at Bethany Vedavijnana Peeth (BVP), teaching courses on Syriac language, liturgy, spirituality, and history.

Episcopal Jurisdiction:

• The Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of St. Ephrem in the Khadki Pune Region is the first of its kind outside the canonical territory of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Covering an expansive area of 1,024,000 square kilometers, this eparchy caters to approximately 15,000 Syro-Malankara Catholics across Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Recognition and Welcome:

• Acknowledging the historical significance of this appointment, His Eminence Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, expressed his approval.
• The announcement ceremony, held at St. Mary’s Major Archiepiscopal Cathedral, Pattom, witnessed the warm welcome extended by Archbishop Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos Metropolitan and other dignitaries.

In assuming the leadership of the Pune-Khadki St. Ephrem Eparchy, Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC brings a wealth of knowledge, spirituality, and a deep commitment to furthering the rich heritage of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. His Holiness Pope Francis, along with the entire community, looks forward to witnessing the continued growth and flourishing of the Church under his guidance.

Rev. Dr. Mathai Kadavil OIC is a renowned scholar and a spiritual leader who is committed to the promotion and preservation of the Syriac heritage of the Malankara Church. He is also involved in the ecumenical dialogue and cooperation among the various Christian churches in India and abroad. He is a member of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

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