Bishop James Thoppil born on May 8, 1959 in Kottayam into a family of the Syro-Malabar Church. After his primary studies in Kerala, he entered the Minor Seminary of St. Joseph, Dibrugarh (1974-1977). Later he attended the Christ King College, for his Philosophy studies (1977-1980); and Oriens Theological College and the Sacred Heart Theological College, for his Theological studies (1982-1985), after completing training at the Parish of St . Joseph in Tseminyu, Nagaland (1980-1982).
He was ordained a priest on Jan. 12, 1986, in the diocese of Kohima. After ordination he held the following ministries:
1986-1990: Dean of Studies, Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur; 1990-1994: Pastor and Headmaster, Holy Cross Church, Dimapur, Secretary of the Nagaland Association of Catholic Schools; 1994-1999: studies for a Licentiate and a Doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urban University; 1999-2006: Professor, Chancellor and Dean of Studies, Oriens Theological College, Shillong, Northeast Diocesan Secretary Priests' Forum for Theological Reflection (NEDPFTR); 2006-2007: Sabbatical Year in St. Felicitas Church, San Leandro, California, United States; since 2007: Rector at Oriens Theological College, Shillong.
On June 16, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Kohima.
