D. Selvarajan to be the new Bishop of Neyyatinkara Diocese

D. Selvarajan, the Coadjutor Bishop of Neyyattinkara Diocese of the Latin Catholic Church, has been elevated as its new Bishop.

He succeeds Bishop Vincent Samuel who has stepped down on turning 75 years of age. Pope Leo XIV has named D. Selvarajan as the next Bishop, a statement said. He had been appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese earlier this year.

Dr. Selvarajan was born as the second son of Dasan and Muthamma of DM Sadanam, Ottaplavila, on January 27, 1962. He completed his theological studies at the Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha. He was ordained as a priest on December 23, 1987.

He also holds a postgraduate degree in Sociology from Kerala University. Leaving for Belgium in October 1995, he secured a Licentiate and Doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of Leuven.

He has held important leadership posts in the Neyyatinkara Diocese. He has served as a member of the advisory committee of the Bishop, member of the finance council of the Diocese and from 2018 onwards, the Regional Episcopal Vicar.

Dr. Vincent Samuel stepped down after the Pope accepted his request that he be allowed to step down on turning 75. He was appointed the first Bishop of the Neyyatinkara Diocese on June 14, 1996. He has also served as the chairman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council Youth Commission, member of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement, secretary and vice chairman of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops Council.