A. Chinnappan Elected National President of All India Catholic Union

By Robancy A. Helen, Chennai

The All India Catholic Union (AICU), the apex body of Catholic laity in India, established in 1919 with “Service in Unity” as its motto, has elected A. Chinnappan of Delhi as its national president for the 2026–28 term.

The AICU seeks to represent and articulate the aspirations of Catholic laity while remaining pro-ecclesia and committed to supporting the synodal Church.

At the Annual General Body Meeting held in New Delhi on 23 August 2026, A. Chinnappan was elected national president. Alexander Anthony, a businessman from Kolkata, was elected national vice president.

A Life of Service

Chinnappan was born on 29 October 1956 in Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala. He completed his schooling near Tindivanam in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, and pursued his college education at the University of Madras.

From his early years, Chinnappan was actively involved in Church activities. He moved to Delhi in 1981 and continued his involvement in Church and community activities.

In 1984, he joined the Aditya Birla Group, one of India’s leading corporate groups. During his 33-year career with the organisation, he held various positions and retired as an assistant vice president.

His election as national president of the AICU comes with the responsibility of leading the organisation during the 2026–28 term and representing the concerns and aspirations of Catholic laity across the country.

After his retirement, Chinnappan devoted himself fully to Church and community service at the parish, diocesan and national levels.

At the parish level, he served as president of the Catholic Association and was also a member of the Parish Pastoral Council. At the diocesan level, he served as a member of the Laity Commission, Formation Commission, and Interfaith and Ecumenism Commission of the Archdiocese of Delhi.

He also served as secretary of the Tamil Catholic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Delhi for 10 years, contributing significantly to the pastoral and community activities of Tamil-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese.

Over the years, he has organised and actively participated in several major programmes of the Archdiocese of Delhi. His involvement across all levels of Church life reflects his longstanding commitment to strengthening lay participation and service within the Church.

As president of his Parish Catholic Association, Chinnappan became a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi (FCAAD), the diocesan body representing Catholic associations.

He subsequently served FCAAD as secretary general and president for six years. His journey then moved to the national level through the AICU, where he served in various capacities, beginning as state secretary and state president, and later as national secretary, assistant secretary general, secretary general and national vice president.

His long journey of service culminated in his election as national president of the AICU, the highest position in the organisation. He was elected at the 72nd Annual General Body Meeting, held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Okhla, New Delhi, on 22–23 August 2026.

His Vision for AICU

Chinnappan’s vision for the AICU is centred on unity, youth leadership, strong faith and grassroots participation:

He emphasised that the National AICU must have a presence in every State and every Diocese and remain as close as possible to Catholic communities at the grassroots.

His vision seeks to strengthen the organisation not only as a representative body of Catholic laity but also as a vibrant national platform that connects Catholic communities, empowers young people and contributes constructively to the Church and the nation.