Kerala priest to become Auxiliary Bishop of Mainz Diocese in Germany

In a historic development, a priest from Kerala is poised to be appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of a German diocese.

According to Father Jose Kulathur, Chancellor of the Kothamangalam diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Monsignor Joshy Pottakkal, 48, a resident of Meenkunnam under the Kothamangalam diocese and a member of the Carmelite (O.Carm) Kerala Province, will be elevated to the post of Bishop of the Diocese of Mainz in Germany.

​The elevation ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday (March 15, 2026) at Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom). The ceremony will be led by the Bishop of Mainz, Peter Kohlgraf, Archbishop of Freiburg, Stephan Burger, and Bishop Wilmar Santin (O.Carm) of Brazil.

Fr. Kulathur stated that this marks the first time an Indian priest has been elevated to the post of bishop in a German diocese. “Monsignor Pottakkal has been serving as a priest in the Mainz Diocese for the last 21 years. This appointment is a source of pride for the missionary community from Kerala and signifies the Vatican’s endorsement of the Kerala Church,” said Fr. Kulathur.

​Prior to this appointment, Monsignor Pottakkal had served in the Mainz diocese youth ministry, as a parish vicar, a forane vicar, and as a diocesan referent in charge of the diocese’s priests.

​Church authorities noted that while foreign churches typically do not appoint non-natives to key leadership positions, Monsignor Pottakkal has emerged as a deeply trusted figure within the German community, leading to his historic elevation.

​Bishop George Madathikandathil of the Kothamangalam Diocese and several other priests have already reached Germany to attend the ceremony.

​Germany is home to a growing population of nurses and professionals from Kerala. The elevation of a Keralite priest to such a high post is a significant milestone for the community residing in Germany.