Bishop
Mar Stephen Chirappanath
Apostolic Visitator
| Date of Birth | 26 December 1961 |
| Priestly Ordination | 26 December 1987 |
| Episcopal Ordination | 01 November 2016 |
| Motto | Omnia in Bonum Diligentibus Deum |
| stephenchirappanath@gmail.com | |
| Mob (P) | +393663124882 (ITA) +919495632567 (KER) |
| Address | Domus Mar Thoma Casa di Procura della Chiesa Siro-Malabarese Via degli Estensi, 137 Rome – 00164, Italy |
About Mar Stephen Chirappanath
Mar Stephen Chirappanath was born on 26 December 1961 at Puthenchira as the seventh child among the eight children of Late Mr. Paul and Late Mrs. Rosy Kavalakkatt Chirappanath. After his school studies he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope, Trichur, and he had Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam.
He was ordained priest on 26 December 1987 by Bishop James Pazhayattil. After his ministry as Assistant Parish Priest in St. Mary’s Forane Church, Chalakudy, St. Joseph’s Church, Aloor, and as Father Prefect in St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Assistant Vocation Promoter, Director of Altar Boys’ Association and the General Secretary of the Eparchial Pastoral Council, he was sent to Rome for higher studies from where he obtained Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy of the Lateran University.
On his return from Rome, Bishop Stephen has rendered his service as the Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Paduva Nagar, Judge in the Eparchial Matrimonial Tribunal, General Convener of the Great Jubilee Year 2000 celebrations, Director of Navachaitanya & Sanjo Sadan, and the Rector, St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Irinjalakuda. He served in Paurasthya Vidyapitham, Vadavathoor, as Lecturer of Moral Theology and in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary as the Procurator and then Vice Rector. He was also visiting Professor at Mary Matha Major Seminary, Thrissur and Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kunnoth.
While he was serving in Rome from 01 April 2011 as the Procurator of the Syro-Malabar Church at the Holy See, National Co-ordinator for the Syro-Malabar Faithful in Italy and Parish Priest of the Syro Malabar faithful in Rome, on 04 June 2012 he was conferred by Pope Benedict XVI the title of Monsignor – the Chaplain of His Holiness. On 28 July 2016, the feast day of St. Alphonsa, Pope Francis nominated Msgr. Stephen, with episcopal rank, as the Apostolic Visitator for the Syro Malabar faithful residing in Europe. His Episcopal ordination was held on 01 November 2016, All Saints’ Day, at St. Paul’s Papal Basilica, Rome, and he started his episcopal ministry with the motto: Omnia in Bonum Diligentibus Deum.
Role & Mandate
As Apostolic Visitator, Mar Stephen Chirappanath provides pastoral leadership and coordination for the Syro-Malabar faithful residing in Europe. His mission supports the spiritual well-being of communities, strengthens unity, and promotes authentic living of the Syro-Malabar liturgical and ecclesial tradition in collaboration with local dioceses.
Key Responsibilities
- Pastoral visitation and guidance for Syro-Malabar faithful across Europe.
- Support and coordination of priests, missions, and pastoral initiatives.
- Encouragement of unity and faith-formation among families, youth, and children.
- Promotion of catechesis, sacramental life, and the Syro-Malabar liturgical heritage.
- Collaboration and communion with local dioceses and Church authorities where communities exist.
- Strengthening a missionary spirit and Christian witness in the European context.
Pastoral Vision
To help Syro-Malabar communities in Europe remain rooted in the apostolic tradition of St. Thomas, strengthened by the sacraments, united in ecclesial life, and empowered to live the Gospel with hope and mission wherever they are.
Related Pages
Bishop • History • Coat of Arms • NB Documents • Circulars