BIshop Jacob Muricken, an auxiliary bishop of Palai, India, has stepped down from his episcopal position to become a hermit.

While he retains his title as a bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the 59-year-old Bishop Muricken has moved into a hermitage in Naliathanni, where he plans to live out his days.

The bishop took this step with the approval of the Syro-Malabar synod.