Major Archbishop's Profile

Raphael Thattil, born on 21 April 1956, is an Indian Catholic prelate currently serving as the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church, and as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly since January 2024.

Born in Thrissur, he completed his schooling at St. Thomas College High School, Thrissur, and subsequently joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope, on 4 July 1971. His ecclesiastical studies took place at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, where Mar Joseph Kundukulam ordained him a priest on 21 December 1980. Initially serving as the Assistant Vicar of Aranattukara, he later became the Father Prefect of the minor seminary.

Subsequently, he pursued further studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, earning a Bachelor of Theology and Doctor of Canon Law. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Director of Catechism. In 1998, he became the first rector of the Mary Matha Major Seminary. On 15 January 2010, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur and Titular Bishop of Buruni. Pope Francis later assigned Bishop Raphael Thattil the role of Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malabar faithful in India residing outside the proper territory of the Major Archiepiscopal Church.

Having served as the first rector of the Mary Matha Major Seminary, Thrissur, Pope Francis designated him as the first Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Shamshabad on 10 October 2017, and he was officially installed on 7 January 2018.