CCBI Salutes Fr Manipadam’s Service to Catholic Education

New Delhi, 31 October 2025: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) bid a warm farewell to Fr. Joseph Manipadam SDB, who served the Church in India with great dedication as the Coordinator of the CCBI Education Apostolate from 2021 to 2025. The farewell ceremony was held at the CCBI General Secretariat in New Delhi on 31 October 2025.

Archbishop Vincent Aind, Secretary General of the CCBI, expressed deep gratitude for Fr. Manipadam’s remarkable service. He recalled his tireless efforts in promoting value-based education and strengthening Catholic educational institutions across the country. “Fr. Joseph has been a visionary leader who brought creativity, professionalism, and deep pastoral concern to the field of Catholic education,” Archbishop Aind said.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, appreciated Fr. Manipadam’s competence, passion, and expertise in coordinating the vast network of educational apostolates. “He combined academic excellence with a pastoral heart. His initiatives have touched the lives of many educators and students, leaving a lasting impact on Catholic education in India,” Fr. Alathara said.

Fr. Manipadam, a Salesian priest, was earlier associated with the Don Bosco institutions and is known for his lifelong commitment to the cause of holistic and transformative education.

In his response, Fr. Manipadam thanked the CCBI leadership for their trust and collaboration. “Serving the Church through the CCBI has been a grace-filled journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow in this mission of education,” he said.

Fr. Adv. Jaison Vaddassery, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, and Fr. Adv. Joseph Elamethuruthy, member of the CCBI Legal Cell, also spoke on the occasion.

The CCBI appointed Fr. Anthony Sebastian from the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore in Tamil Nadua as the Coordinator for the Education Apostolate.

By Catholic Connect Reporter