Mathew Nellikunnel

Mar Mathew Nellikunnel is an Indian-born bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church serving as the Eparch of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Gorakhpur succeeding Mar Thomas Thuruthimattam.

Mar Mathew Nellikunnel
Eparch of Gorakhpur
Church	Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Diocese	Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Gorakhpur
Appointed	August 26, 2023
Installed	November 5, 2023
Predecessor	Thomas Thuruthimattam
Orders
Ordination	December 30, 1998 by George Punnakottil
Consecration	November 5, 2023 by George Alencherry, Raphy Manjaly, and Thomas Thuruthimattam
Personal details
Born	Mathew Nellikunnel (1970-11-13) November 13, 1970 (age 54) Mariapuram, Kerala, India

Biography

Early life

Mathew Nellikunnel was born on November 13, 1970, in the village of Mariapuram in the Indian state of Kerala as the first born of Varkey and Mary Nellikunnel. His brother John is the Bishop of Eparchy of Idukki, making history as the first set of brothers to serve together in the Synod of Bishops.^[1][2]

Eparch

On August 26, 2023, Pope Francis announced his assent to the Election of Msgr Matthew Nellikunnel to the office of Bishop of Goakhpur by the Syro Malabar Synod of Bishops to succeed the retiring Mar Thomas Thuruthimattam ^[3] He was ordained on November 5, 2023, at St. Joseph's School, Khorabar, Gorakhpur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, by Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar George Alencherry, in the presence of Agra Bishop Raphy Manjaly and Gorakhpur Emeritus Bishop Mar Thomas Thuruthimattam.