Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville has announced official appointments effective August 1, 2024.

Reverend Leo Payyappilly, OFM Conv., a member of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Province of Conventual Franciscan Friars in India, will become the pastor of Incarnation Church. This appointment will end his tenure as associate pastor of St. Paul Church.

Father Payyappilly, born in Kerala, India, joined the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1988 at age 15. He made a simple profession on April 30, 1993, and a solemn profession on May 24, 1997. Ordained to the priesthood on February 6, 2003, he attended seminary at St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary in Ernakulam and studied at St. Dominic’s College in Kottayam. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from Mahatma Gandhi University and a master’s degree in theology (Oriental Canon Law) from Vienna University.

Before joining the Archdiocese of Louisville, Father Payyappilly served various roles within his province in India including secretary to the Provincial Custos and minister provincial. From 2013 to 2015, he was part of the campus ministry team at Bellarmine University. Currently, he serves as associate pastor of both St. Paul and Incarnation churches and holds several positions within his province's U.S.-based operations.

Reverend Shaju Puthussery, OFM Conv., also from the St. Maximilian Kolbe Province of Conventual Franciscan Friars in India, will continue as pastor of St. Paul Church while ending his responsibilities as pastor of Incarnation.

Father Puthussery was born in Kerala and joined the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1992 at age 17. He made a simple profession on May 1, 1995, and a solemn profession on May 24, 2000. Ordained to the priesthood on December 30, 2001, he attended seminary at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary in Aluva and earned degrees from Mahatma Gandhi University and Seraphicum in Rome.

His previous roles include office secretary to the Provincial Custos and assistant novice master at Belvedere Franciscan Ashram among others within his province in India and Italy. In Louisville's archdiocese since then he has served as associate pastor of St. Gabriel Church before taking up his current position.