India: Father Antony Valumkal appointed new Auxiliary bishop of Verapoly Archdiocese
Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Antony Valumkal (55) as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Verapoly; currently, he is the Rector and Parish Priest of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadom, Kochi.
Fr. Antony Valumkal was born on July 26, 1969, in Eroor, in the Archdiocese of Verapoly. At St. Joseph's Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Alwaye, Kerala, he studied philosophy and theology. On April 11, 1994, the same archdiocese ordained him as a priest.
He held the following positions and carried out further studies: Deputy Parish Priest of Little Flower in Pottakuzhy (1994–1996); Director of the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary (1997–2004); parish priest of St. George in Karthedom (2004–2007); Director of St. John Paul Bhavan Minor Seminary in Kakkanad (2007–2010); Licentiate and Doctorate in Spiritual Theology at St.
He served as the Spiritual Director of St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary in Carmelgiri, Alwaye, and was in charge of two churches in Chowara and Parapuram of Thottakattukara Parish from 2013 to 2021.
Since 2021, he has been rector and parish priest of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom Vallarpadom, Kochi.
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