Fr. Sanish Mathew, HGN, appointed as Vicar for Religious and Consecrated Life for the Diocese of Cor

“It is with great confidence and fraternal esteem that I, Most Reverend Mario Alberto Aviles, C.O., by the grace of God and the authority of the Apostolic See, and as Bishop of Corpus Christi, do hereby appoint you, the Reverend Sanish Mathew, HGN, as Vicar for Religious and Consecrated Life of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.” Fr. Sanish Mathew, parochial administrator of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Premont, said he was “really surprised about this announcement, but happy to assist Bishop Mario Avilés in this area. “I hope to do something good for the religious and consecrated members in our diocese.
 
The appointment became effective on March 19, 2026. Fr. Mathew is entrusted with the following responsibilities:
• To foster ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and communion between the diocesan Church and the institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life present within the diocese;
• To promote the spiritual welfare, canonical rights, and apostolic mission of all Religious and consecrated persons living and working within the Diocese of Corpus Christi;
• To coordinate pastoral programs, ongoing formation, and spiritual enrichment activities for consecrated men and women;
• ·To serve as a liaison between the Bishop and the major superiors of religious institutes, monasteries, and other forms of consecrated life canonically present in the diocese;
• To advise the Bishop on matters pertaining to the life, mission, and challenges of Religious and consecrated persons, and to represent the Bishop’s pastoral concern for their well-being.
 
Fr. Sanish Mathew is a member of the “Heralds of the Good News,” a Missionary Society of Apostolic Life established in the Diocese of Eluru, India, on October 14, 1984. The Society focuses on promoting vocations to the priesthood, training and forming seminarians, and serving the Church through missionary work. 
 
Six members of the Society are serving in the Diocese of Corpus Christi: Fr. Sanish Mathew, Fr. Jasion Mathew, Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary in Freer; Fr. Chinna Rao Medanki, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Mathis; Fr. Joseph Pradeep Puthan, Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart in Falfurrias; Fr. Joseph Thoompunkal, Parochial Administrator; and Fr. Shijo Joseph, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. “We try to meet every weekend after Sunday Masses,” says Fr. Sanish Mathew, often together with four members serving in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.