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Wednesday, July 10, 2024

                The Four Living Fathers of the Second Vatican Council


On 10 July 2024 Archbishop Alphonsus Mathias, emeritus of Bangalore, India, died in St. John's Medical College, in Bangalore. He had attended sessions three and four of the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965). May he rest in peace.

 The four living Council Fathers are:

Archbishop Victorinus Youn Kong-hi, emeritus of Kwangju, South Korea. He attended sessions two, three, and four.

Bishop José de Jesús Sahagún de la Parra, emeritus of Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. He attended sessions one, two, and four.

Francis Cardinal Arinze, former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship & the Discipline of the Sacraments, who attended session four.

Bishop Daniel Alphonse Omer Verstraete, O.M.I., emeritus of Klerksdorp, South Africa. He attended session four. 

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

 

Roman rite bishops belonging to the Maronite line – updated 9 April 2024

Since the previous update of 29 July 2023, the number of Roman rite bishops belonging to the Maronite line has increased by one with the ordination of an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria.

On 19 December 2023, Father Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., was ordained Titular Bishop of Rusguniae and Auxiliary to the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria, by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri who was assisted by Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi and Bishop Augustine Tochukwe Ukwuoma of Orlu.

With this episcopal ordination, there are now fourteen Roman rite bishops belonging to the Maronite line: five in Nigeria and nine in the Caribbean. They are:

in Nigeria:

 Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem of Calabar

Archbishop Lucius Iewjuru Ugorji of Owerri

Bishop Donatus Edet Akpan of Ogoja

Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Naseri-Mutiti Naseri of Calabar

Auxiliary Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., of Ahiara

 in the Caribbean:

Kelvin Edward Cardinal Felix, Archbishop emeritus of Castries

Archbishop Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.Ss.R., emeritus of Port of Spain

Archbishop Joseph Everard Harris, C.S.Sp., emeritus of Port of Spain

Archbishop Patrick Christopher Punder of Nassau

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain

Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries

Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne, O.S.B., of Georgetown

Bishop Robert Anthony Llanos of Saint John’s-Basseterre

Bishop Gerard Maximin County, C.S.Sp., of Kingstown

Monday, February 19, 2024

 

UPDATE to the 10 January 2024 post regarding the  d’ESTOUTEVILLE LINE (19 February 2024)

Since the previous post regarding the d’Estouteville line on 15 October 2023, several changes to the line occurred or will occur shortly.

On 17 November 2023, Fr. Emmanuel Michel François Tois was ordained TItular Bishop of Vertara and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris by Archbishop Laurent Bernard Marie Ulrich of Paris, assisted by Bishop Jean Yves André Michel Nahmias of Meaux and Bishop Philippe André Yves Marsset, Titular Bishop of Thibica and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. His episcopal ordination took place at Paris, in the Church of Saint-Sulpice. With his episcopal ordination, the number of living members of the d’Estouteville line increased to forty.

On 2 December 2023, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani presented by Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R.

On 13 January 2024, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Kumbakonam presented by Bishop Antonisamy Francis.

On 12 February 2024, Fr. Justin Alexander Madathiparambil was ordained Titular Bishop of Lysinia and Auxiliary Bishop of Vijayapuram at Kottayam, in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Vijayapuram dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Bishop Stephen Thekethecheril, Bishop of Vijayapuram, assisted by Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly and Archbishop Thomas Jessayyan Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Latins. With his episcopal ordination, the number of living bishops of the d’Estouteville line increased to forty one.

On 24 February 2024, God willing, Fr. Stephen Boonlert Phromsena will be ordained Bishop of Ubon Ratchathani in the Cathedral at Ubon Ratchathani by Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R., Bishop emeritus of Ubon Ratchathani. The co-consecrators are scheduled to be Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut of Nakhon Ratchasima and Archbishop Anthony Weradet Chaiseri of Thare and Nonseng. With this episcopal ordination, the number of living members of the d’Estouteville line will increase to forty two.

On 24 February 2024, barring any intervening changes, the living members of the d’Estouteville line will be:

Thomas Jessayan Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Latins

Maria Callist Soosa Packiam, Archbishop emeritus of Trivandrum of the Latins

Malayappan Chinnappa, S.D.B., Archbishop emeritus of Madras and Mylapore

Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop emeritus of Verapoly

Sebastian Thekethecheril, Bishop of Vijayapuram

Selvister Ponnumuthan, Bishop of Punalur

Amalraj Arulappan, Bishop of Ootacamund

Nazarene Soosai, Bishop of Kottar

Christudas Rajappan, Titular Bishop of Avitta Bibba, Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum of the Latins

Justin Alexander Madathiparambil, Titular Bishop of Lysinia, Auxiliary Bishop of Vijayapuram

Paul Maipan, Bishop emeritus of Khammam

Singaroyan Sebastianappan, Bishop emeritus of Salem

Peter Remigius, Bishop emeritus of Kottar

Jerome Das Varuvel, S.D.B., Bishop emeritus of Kuzhithurai

Devadoss Ambrose Mariadoss, Bishop emeritus of Tanjore

Antonisamy Francis, Bishop emeritus of Kumbakonam

Vincent Louis Marie Landel, S.C.J. de Beth., Archbishop emeritus of Rabat

Joseph Luechai Thatwisai, Bishop of Udon Thani, Thailand

Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R., Bishop emeritus of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Stephen Boonlert Phromsena, Bishop of Ubon Ratchathani (as of 24 February 2024)

 

 *Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris

*Antoine Henry Pierre Marie Hérouard, Archbishop of Dijon

*Armand Maillard, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Hubert Barbier, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Guy Thomazeau, Archbishop emeritus of Montpellier

*Bernard Aubertin, O.Cist., Archbishop emeritus of Tours

*Philippe Christory, Bishop of Chartres

*Michel Pansard, Bishop of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes

*François Jacolin, M.D.P., Bishop of Luçon

*Jean-Paul Vuillemin, Bishop of Le Mans

*Roberto Fornaciari, O.S.B.Cam., Bishop of Tempio-Ampurias

*Jean-Marie Le Vert, Titular Bishop of Briançonnet and Auxiliary Bishop of Bordeaux

*Emmanuel Michel François Tois, Titular Bishop of Vertara and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris

*Yves Boivineau, Bishop emeritus of Annecy

*Alain Planet, Bishop emeritus of Carcassonne et Narbonne

*Jean-Christophe Lagleize, Bishop emeritus of Metz

*Gilbert Louis, Bishop emeritus of Châlons

*Bernard Housset, Bishop emeritus of La Rochelle

*Gérard Coliche, Titular Bishop of Alet and former Auxiliary Bishop of Lille

*Alphonse Georger, Bishop emeritus of Oran

 

 **Raphaël Dabiré Kusiélé, Bishop of Diébougou

**Jean Baptiste Kpiéle Somé, Bishop emeritus of Diébougou

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

 

UPDATES to the von BODMAN and d’ESTOUTEVILLE LINES (10 January 2024)

The von Bodman line has decreased in size due to the death of one of its members. Bishop Anton Pain Ratu, S.V.D., Bishop emeritus of Atambua, Indonesia, the most senior member of the von Bodman line by date of episcopal ordination, died on 6 January 2024 at Atambua. May he rest in peace.

With his death, there are eight living members of the von Bodman line. They are:

1.      Gerulfus Kherubim Pareira, S.V.D., Bishop emeritus of Maumere

2.      Patrick Hoogmartens, Bishop of Hasselt

3.      Franciscus Kopong Kung, Bishop of Larantuka

4.      Aloysius Murwito, O.F.M., Bishop of Agats

5.      Nicolaus Adi Seputra, M.S.C., Archbishop emeritus of Merauke

6.      Dominikus Saku, Bishop of Atambua

7.      Edmund Woga, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Weetebula

8.      Ewaldus Martinus Sedu, Bishop of Maumerre

Since the previous post regarding the d’Estouteville line on 15 October 2023, several changes to the line occurred or will occur shortly.

On 17 November 2023, Fr. Emmanuel Michel François Tois was ordained TItular Bishop of Vertara and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris by Archbishop Laurent Bernard Marie Ulrich of Paris, assisted by Bishop Jean Yves André Michel Nahmias of Meaux and Bishop Philippe André Yves Marsset, Titular Bishop of Thibica and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. His episcopal ordination took place at Paris, in the Church of Saint-Sulpice. With his episcopal ordination, the number of living members of the d’Estouteville line increased to forty.

On 2 December 2023, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani presented by Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R.

On 24 February 2024, God willing, Fr. Stephen Boonlert Phromsena will be ordained Bishop of Ubon Ratchathani in the Cathedral at Ubon Ratchathani by Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R., Bishop emeritus of Ubon Ratchathani. The co-consecrators are scheduled to be Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut of Nakhon Ratchasima and Archbishop Anthony Weradet Chaiseri of Thare and Nonseng. With this episcopal ordination, the number of living members of the d’Estouteville line will increase to forty one.

On 24 February 2024, barring any intervening changes, the living members of the d’Estouteville line will be:

Thomas Jessayan Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Latins

Maria Callist Soosa Packiam, Archbishop emeritus of Trivandrum of the Latins

Malayappan Chinnappa, S.D.B., Archbishop emeritus of Madras and Mylapore

Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop emeritus of Verapoly

Sebastian Thekethecheril, Bishop of Vijayapuram

Selvister Ponnumuthan, Bishop of Punalur

Amalraj Arulappan, Bishop of Ootacamund

Antonysamy Francis, Bishop of Kumbakonam

Nazarene Soosai, Bishop of Kottar

Christudas Rajappan, Titular Bishop of Avitta Bibba, Auxiliary of Trivandrum of the Latins

Paul Maipan, Bishop emeritus of Khammam

Singaroyan Sebastianappan, Bishop emeritus of Salem

Peter Remigius, Bishop emeritus of Kottar

Jerome Das Varuvel, S.D.B., Bishop emeritus of Kuzhithurai

Devadoss Ambrose Mariadoss, Bishop emeritus of Tanjore

Vincent Louis Marie Landel, S.C.J. de Beth., Archbishop emeritus of Rabat

Joseph Luechai Thatwisai, Bishop of Udon Thani, Thailand

Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R., Bishop emeritus of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Stephen Boonlert Phromsena, Bishop of Ubon Ratchathani (as of 24 February 2024)

 

 *Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris

*Antoine Henry Pierre Marie Hérouard, Archbishop of Dijon

*Armand Maillard, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Hubert Barbier, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Guy Thomazeau, Archbishop emeritus of Montpellier

*Bernard Aubertin, O.Cist., Archbishop emeritus of Tours

*Philippe Christory, Bishop of Chartres

*Michel Pansard, Bishop of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes

*François Jacolin, M.D.P., Bishop of Luçon

*Jean-Paul Vuillemin, Bishop of Le Mans

*Roberto Fornaciari, O.S.B.Cam., Bishop of Tempio-Ampurias

*Jean-Marie Le Vert, Titular Bishop of Briançonnet and Auxiliary of Bordeaux

*Emmanuel Michel François Tois, Titular Bishop of Vertara and Auxiliary of Paris

*Yves Boivineau, Bishop emeritus of Annecy

*Alain Planet, Bishop emeritus of Carcassonne et Narbonne

*Jean-Christophe Lagleize, Bishop emeritus of Metz

*Gilbert Louis, Bishop emeritus of Châlons

*Bernard Housset, Bishop emeritus of La Rochelle

*Gérard Coliche, Titular Bishop of Alet and former Auxiliary of Lille

*Alphonse Georger, Bishop emeritus of Oran

 

 **Raphaël Dabiré Kusiélé, Bishop of Diébougou

**Jean Baptiste Kpiéle Somé, Bishop emeritus of Diébougou

Sunday, October 15, 2023

                              AN UPDATE to the d’ESTOUTEVILLE LINE (15 October 2023)

Since the prior update to the d’Estouteville line on 16 September 2023, one of its members has been called to the House of the Father. Versailles Bishop emeritus Jean-Charles Thomas died on 14 October 2023 at Machecoul, Loire Atlantique, France, at the age of 93. May he rest in peace.

With his death, the number of living members of the d’Estouteville line has decreased to thirty nine. They are listed below.

 Thomas Jessayan Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Latins

Maria Callist Soosa Packiam, Archbishop emeritus of Trivandrum of the Latins

Malayappan Chinnappa, S.D.B., Archbishop emeritus of Madras and Mylapore

Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop emeritus of Verapoly

Sebastian Thekethecheril, Bishop of Vijayapuram

Selvister Ponnumuthan, Bishop of Punalur

Amalraj Arulappan, Bishop of Ootacamund

Antonysamy Francis, Bishop of Kumbakonam

Nazarene Soosai, Bishop of Kottar

Christudas Rajappan, Titular Bishop of Avitta Bibba, Auxiliary of Trivandrum of the Latins

Paul Maipan, Bishop emeritus of Khammam

Singaroyan Sebastianappan, Bishop emeritus of Salem

Peter Remigius, Bishop emeritus of Kottar

Jerome Das Varuvel, S.D.B., Bishop emeritus of Kuzhithurai

Devadoss Ambrose Mariadoss, Bishop emeritus of Tanjore

Vincent Louis Marie Landel, S.C.J. de Beth., Archbishop emeritus of Rabat

Joseph Luechai Thatwisai, Bishop of Udon Thani, Thailand

Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

 

 *Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris

*Antoine Henry Pierre Marie Hérouard, Archbishop of Dijon

*Armand Maillard, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Hubert Barbier, Archbishop emeritus of Bourges

*Guy Thomazeau, Archbishop emeritus of Montpellier

*Bernard Aubertin, O.Cist., Archbishop emeritus of Tours

*Philippe Christory, Bishop of Chartres

*Michel Pansard, Bishop of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes

*François Jacolin, M.D.P., Bishop of Luçon

*Jean-Paul Vuillemin, Bishop of Le Mans

*Roberto Fornaciari, O.S.B.Cam., Bishop of Tempio-Ampurias

*Jean-Marie Le Vert, Titular Bishop of Briançonnet and Auxiliary of Bordeaux

*Yves Boivineau, Bishop emeritus of Annecy

*Alain Planet, Bishop emeritus of Carcassonne et Narbonne

*Jean-Christophe Lagleize, Bishop emeritus of Metz

*Gilbert Louis, Bishop emeritus of Châlons

*Bernard Housset, Bishop emeritus of La Rochelle

*Gérard Coliche, Titular Bishop of Alet and former Auxiliary of Lille

*Alphonse Georger, Bishop emeritus of Oran

 

 **Raphaël Dabiré Kusiélé, Bishop of Diébougou

**Jean Baptiste Kpiéle Somé, Bishop emeritus of Diébougou

Saturday, September 16, 2023

                     THE d’ESTOUTEVILLE LINE (update)

 I am pleased to announce that the d’Estoutville line has a new member as of 16 September 2023. Today Dom Roberto Fornaciari, O.S.B.Cam., was ordained Bishop of Tempio-Ampurias in Sardinia by Archbishop Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, O.Cist., Archbishop emeritus of Tours, France. He is now the fortieth living member of this venerable line.

 His episcopal ordination took place in front of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Olbia, a port and airport town in the Diocese of Tempio-Ampurias. Archbishop Aubertin was assisted by the two principal co-ordaining bishops: Archbishop Gian Franco Saba, Metropolitan Archbishop of Sassari, and Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti, Bishop emeritus of Tempio-Ampurias.

 Among the other co-ordaining and concelebrating bishops were Arrigo Cardinal Miglio, Apostolic Administrator of Iglesias, sede vacante, and Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez, Bishop of San Cristóbal de Venezuela.

 The other members of the d’Estouteville line can be found in the post of 13 July 2023. 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

                        Roman rite bishops belonging to the Maronite line

 (updated 29 July 2023)

 

The number of Roman rite bishops belonging to the Maronite line has increased by one with the recent ordination of an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Calabar, Nigeria. Their number has increased to thirteen: four in Nigeria and nine in the Caribbean. They are:

 in Nigeria:

 Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem of Calabar

Archbishop Lucius Iewjuru Ugorji of Owerri

Bishop Donatus Edet Akpan of Ogoja

Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Naseri-Mutiti Naseri of Calabar

 in the Caribbean:

Kelvin Edward Cardinal Felix, Archbishop emeritus of Castries

Archbishop Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.Ss.R., emeritus of Port of Spain

Archbishop Joseph Everard Harris, C.S.Sp., emeritus of Port of Spain

Archbishop Patrick Christopher Punder of Nassau

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain

Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries

Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne, O.S.B., of Georgetown

Bishop Robert Anthony Llanos of Saint John’s-Basseterre

Bishop Gerard Maximin County, C.S.Sp., of Kingstown