Thomas Animoottil

Thomas Animoottil (born 13 January 1962) is an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic hierarch who has served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam and the titular bishop of Troina since 27 August 2026 by the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, with the prior assent of Pope Leo XIV.

Early life and education Animoottil was born in Payyavoor, Kerala, on 13 January 1962. He completed his primary and secondary education in Payyavoor and his university studies in the University of Mysore. He subsequently entered St. Stanislaus Minor Seminary in Kottayam for priestly formation. He studied philosophy and theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Mangalore.

He was ordained a priest on 13 April 1989. He later pursued higher studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, obtaining a Licentiate in canon law in 1993.

In 2025, he became Pro-Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Kottayam.

Episcopacy On 27 August 2026, the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church canonically elected Animoottil as auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam. The election had received the prior assent of Pope Leo XIV, and the Holy See announced the appointment on the same day, with an assignment him the titular see of Troina.