Bishop C.J Jose was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Tura at Sacred Heart Shrine, in the North Eastern Indian state Meghalaya Tura on July 4.
The ordination ceremony was presided over by Most Rev. Andrew R Marak, the Bishop of Tura. It was concelebrated by Most Rev. Thomas Pulloppillil, the chairman of North East India Regional Bishops Councils commission for ecumenism and the Bishop of Bongaigaon, Most Rev. Victor Lyndoh Bishop of Jowai Diocese and Most Rev. George Mamalassery, Bishop Emeritus of Tura Diocese.
The function was attended by prominent government officials like the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K. Sangma, Tura MP Mrs Agatha Sangma, Power Minister of Meghalaya James, MLAs Marcuise and Thomas.
Conrad Sangma said that he was “blessed to be a part of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Jose Chirackal, I pray for God’s guidance as he takes on this added responsibility.”
Bishop Jose is a senior priest of the diocese of Tura who has spent decades in working for the church in different roles. The Auxiliary Bishop will assist the Bishop of Tura, Rt. Rev. Andrew R Marak, in his official and church duties.
Bishop Jose was born on July 14, 1960 in Karukutty, Kerala, in the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and was ordained priest on December 29, 1987, for the Diocese of Tura. After the schooling in Kerala, he joined the Diocese of Tura in 1976. He studied at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Shillong, and Philosophy at Christ King College, Shillong, and Theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong and later a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from Università Urbaniana, Roma, in 1995.
He served the diocese in the following ministries: 1988-1991: Asst. Priest, St. Joseph’s Church, Selsella; 1991: Acting Headmaster, Sacred Heart School, Dalu; 1995-2004: Rector, St. Peter’s Minor Seminary, Tura; 2004-2009: Diocesan Procurator and Chancellor; 2004-2011: Judicial Vicar and Diocesan Spokesperson; 2009-2011: Parish Priest, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Tura; 2011-2014: Rector, Oriens Theological College, Shillong, and Secretary, North East Regional Commission for Vocations and Formation; 2014-2019: Diocesan Procurator, Diocesan Spokesperson and Defender of the Bond. Since July 2019: Parish Priest, St. Luke’s Church, Walbakgre, Tura and Director of Pastoral Centre. He has been member of the College of Consultors, and visiting professor in Oriens Theological College, Shillong, for many years.
The diocese of Tura was established on April 7, 1973. The patroness of the diocese is Mary Help of Christians. The diocese covers an area of 8167 sq kms in the State of Meghalaya. The diocese is inhabited by people belonging to various communities such as Garos, Rabhas, Boros, Koch and Hajong who also speak different dialects for communication such as Garo, Assamese, Khasi, Bengali and English.
The Bible says, “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach”. (Mark.3.14)
Bishop C.J. Jose is a man of deep faith and personal integrity, we wish him and the diocese of Tura God’s blessings.