Bishop - His Grace Rev Joseph Mar Thomas

Abridged History

    After World War II, Western countries especially United States of America, Canada and Europe attained rapid progress in several social sectors. This vantage position enjoyed by these countries lured immigrants in large numbers into USA, Canada and Europe. During the early fifties Indian migrants started settlements in these countries. In 1983 a Malankara Catholic Priest was appointed Pastor of the Malankara Catholic families in Chicago by the Archbishop of Chicago at the request of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church. Prayer groups were formed in different parts of the country. Under the leadership of visiting priests was
celebrated the Holy Qurbono in different places according to the convenience of faithful. The Hierarchy felt the need of establishing Malankara Catholic Mission in North America. Thus His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Benedict Mar Gregorios, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church officially inaugurated the Malankara Catholic Missions in North America on 30 August 1984 at Fordham University, New York in the presence of His Eminence Cardinal John O’ Connar of the Archdiocese of New York, a large number of clergy and faithful. There was a steady growth in the number of families that migrated to the USA and Canada.

    Taking into consideration of the need of co-ordinating the Malankara Missions and their Pastors, the Metropolitan Archbishop appointed one priest as co-ordinator. Thus Remban Rt. Rev. John Melamparambil, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Mannikarott, Rev. Fr. John Kalloor (now Bishop Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom) and Rev. Dr. Peter Kochery gave their valuable services as co-ordinators in North America. The ministry of the co-ordinators, clergy and religious helped very much the missions and the faithful to nurture the unity and identity of the Malankara Catholic Church.

Apostolic Visitor:

On the request of the Malankara Catholic Hierarchy, headed by His
Grace Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios, on 18 June 2001, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has appointed Msgr. Isaac Thottunkal as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archieparchy of Trivandrum with the special charge as Apostolic Visitor for the Malankara Catholic faithful residing in North America and Europe. Msgr. Isaac Thottunkal was consecrated as Bishop with the name Isaac Mar Cleemis on 15 August 2001 and His Excellency started his official visit to USA on 23 October 2001, basing his residence at Mar Ivanios Malankara Catholic Centre, New York. The Apostolic Visitor also visited the various centres in Germany and Europe. In Germany, the activities for the Malankara Catholics were co-ordinated by Rev. Fr. John Varghese Easwarankudiyil, the co-ordinator appointed by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church. Under the able leadership of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Cleemis, missions in America and Europe advanced greatly with enhanced vigour and vitality. The Holy See appointed His Excellency Dr. Isaac Mar Cleemis as the Metropolitan of Tiruvalla on 11 September 2003 and He took charge of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla Diocese on 2 October 2003, continuing his mission work as apostolic administrator in North America and Europe till the appointment of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas.

New Apostolic Administrator:

    His Holiness John Paul II appointed Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Konnath, as the new Apostolic Visitor and the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archieparchy of Trivandrum on 5 January 2005. He was consecrated as a Bishop with the name Joseph Mar Thomas on February 19, 2005. His Excellency started his official visit to Europe on June 2005 and North America on July 2005. Following the elevation of the Malankara Catholic Church to the status of a Major Archiepiscopal Church under the amazing leadership of His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos, Malankara Catholic Church attained the Synodal form of governance. The Malankara Catholic Holy Episcopal Synod (MCES) entrusted the pastoral care of the entire Malankara Catholic outside India to His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas. At present the Malankara Catholic Major Archiepiscopal Church outside India is flourishing under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas and Corbishop Geevarghese Mannikarott, the Assistant Administrator.

Mar Ivanios Malankara Major Archiepiscopal Catholic Centre (Bishop’s House) New York

 The headquarters of the Malankara Catholic Church in North America is the Mar Ivanios Catholic Centre, New York. It is situated in New Hyde Park in long Island. The Apostolic visitor and Assistant Administrator in North America reside in this centre. This centre is the official head quarters of the Malankara Catholic Church in North America.