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THE BISHOP Mar Joseph Kallarangatt
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt was born on 27 January 1956 at Kayyoor. After his school studies, he joined the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, Karoor for the ecclesiastical studies. He was ordained priest on 2 January 1982. After having served as the assistant parish priest at Aruvithura and Ramapuram, he was sent to Rome for higher studies in 1984. He secured his doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. Then he started teaching at the St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary Vadavathoor. Following the resignation of His Excellency Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil, he was appointed as the third Bishop of Palai on 18th March 2004, while serving as the president of the Paurastya Vidyapitam. He was ordained Bishop by His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil and was enthroned by His Beatitude Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil on 2 May 2004 at the St. Thomas College grounds, Palai.
Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil Bishop Emeritus
Bishop Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil was born on April 10, 1927 at Mutholapuram. After his University studies he joined the St.Thomas Minor Seminary, Changanacherry for the Ecclesiastical studies. He was ordained priest on November 23, 1958 in Rome. He served for a time as professor of Philosophy at the St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary Kottayam and as Vice-Rector of the Urban College Rome. While serving as Rector of the St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary he was nominated Auxiliary to His Excellency the Bishop of Palai. He was ordained Bishop on August 15, 1973 by His Em.Joseph Cardinal Parecattil. He took charge as Vicar General on August 22, 1973. Following the resignation of His Excellency Mar Sebastian Vayalil, he was appointed Bishop of Palai on the 6th February 1981 and was installed in the Cathedral Palai on March 25, 1981. On the acceptance of his resignation he handed over the charge of the diocese to his successor Mar Joseph Kallarangatt on May 2, 2004.
His Excellency Late MAR SEBASTIAN VAYALIL D.D., B.A.L. T, LL.D. The First Bishop
Mar Sebastian Vayalil was born on 28th January 1906 at Palai. He took his B.A.Degree from the Maharaja’s College, Trivandrum in 1928. He had his ecclesiastical studies at the St.Joseph’s Ap.Seminary Mangalapuzha, Alwaye and was ordained priest on 21st December 1935. He took his L.T.Degree from the Training College Trivandrum in 1942. He was the Headmaster of St.Thomas Training School Palai, till he was appointed the Bishop of Palai, on July 25, 1950. He was consecrated Bishop by His Eminence Eugene Cardinal Tisserent, the then Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches, on 9th November, 1950 at St.Theresia’s Church Rome and was installed in Palai Cathedral by the Most Rev.Dr.Leo. P. Kierkels, the Apostolic Internuncio, on 4th January 1951. His Excellency was a member of the Preliminary Commission instituted for the Second Vatican Council to prepare the scheme for the section on ‘Universities and Seminaries’. He attended all the four sessions of the Council. He paid his Ad Limina visits to Rome in 1950 and 1966. Chicago’s De Paul university conferred upon him in 1966 the honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws (L.L.D.) in recognition of his outstanding achievements as an educationist. In 1969 he participated in the extra ordinary Synod of Bishops held in Rome. His Excellency’s Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee was celebrated on diocesan level on 21st December 1960. The holy year 1975 was of special significance to the diocese and to His Excellency as it coincided with its own Silver Jubilee and the Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Consecration of the Bishop. The whole year was observed as one of the thanksgiving, spiritual renewal and special activities of charity all throughout the diocese. The important dates, July 25, Novemebr 9th, December 21st and 23rd 1975 and January 4th 1976 were observed with solemn functions in connection with the Jubilee. His Holiness Pope Paul Vl was deigned to send to H.E. the Bishop on this occasion an autograph letter of congratulations and appreciation. His Excellency participated in the 1st International Eucharistic Congress held at Philadelphia in August 1976. He paid his third Ad Limina Visit to Rome in October 1976 and was received in Audiance with his Holiness Pope Paul Vl on 16-10-1976. After thirty years of strenuous service from the erection of the diocese in 1950, he requested the Holy See to relieve him from the pastoral Government of the diocese. On the acceptance of his resignation he handed over the charge of the diocese to his successor Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil on 25th March 1981. Affer a period of 5 years, active life of retirement, he was called for eternal reward on Friday 21st November, 1986. True to his motto, "The Lord is my light", he placed unbounded confidence in divine Providence and worked untiringly for the people of God commited to him. Providence never failed him. In just 30 years he broght the new diocese to its present state. He was also a big supporter of the Missions and a great promotor of vocations. He was a loving father, a true shepherd and good administrator. Above all he was a "man of God, complete, and ready for every good work" (2 Tim.3:7)May the Lord grant him eternal light! |
