The Syro-Malankara Catho-lic Church has established a new eparchy based in Parassala in Kerala, and named Bishop Tho-mas Mar Eusebios Naickam-parambil as its bishop.

The Aug. 5 announcement made in the Vactian and Church’s headquarters in State capital Trivandrum also said the Pope has named three new bishops and an apostolic visitor for the Church. Bp Naickam-parambil was previously in charge of the Eparchy of Our Lady Queen of Peace for Syro-Malankara faithful in the United States and Canada, Catholic News Agency reported.

Taking his place will be Bishop Stephanos Thottathil, who until now has served as auxiliary bishop of Tiruvalla, in India’s southern State of Kerala, which is predominantly Christian. In addition to the establishment of the Parassala eparchy and the nomination of its bishop, Pope Francis named Fr George Kalayil as Bishop of the Eparchy of Puthur, also in Kerala. He had previously served as a priest in the same eparchy.

The Pope also named Fr John Kuchuthundil as a Curial Bishop and Apostolic Visitor to the Syro-Malankara Church in Europe and Oceania, although no specific reason for the visitation was given.