PUNE: On the request of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis has elevated the Exarchate of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune, to a Diocese. The announcement to this effect was made in Rome at 12 pm local time and at 4.30 pm (IST) in St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Cathedral, Khadki, by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
His Excellency Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, who until now was the Apostolic Exarch of the said Exarchate, is appointed as the Bishop of the new Diocese. The new Diocese of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune, extends over the southern part of India, namely the entire states of Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The Exarchate of St Ephrem was erected by Pope Francis on March 26, 2015. Today, it has 32 priests, 33 parishes and eight major mission stations.
The Bethany Ashram, Bethany Convent and the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary serve in the Diocese.
