Kochi: Fr Antony Valumkal has been appointed as the new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Varappuzha, situated in Kochi. The announcement came from Holy Father Pope Francis and was concurrently disclosed at the Vatican and the Archbishop's House in Kochi.

The announcement at the Archbishop's House was made by Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil .

Valumkal, currently serving as the Rector and parish priest of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadom, will assume his role as auxiliary bishop on June 30.

Born on 26 July 1969 in Eroor, Fr Antony Valumkal pursued his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Aluva. He was ordained a priest on 11 April 1994 for the same Archdiocese.

Throughout his career, he has held various positions and pursued 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); obtained Licentiate and Doctorate in Spiritual Theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore, India; served as Spiritual Director of St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva, and managed two churches in Chowara and Parapuram of Thottakattukara Parish (2013-2021). Since 2021, he has been the Rector and parish priest of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadom.