THE BISHOP, MAR GEORGE MADATHIKANDATHIL
| Born at Purapuzha on |
09 - 05 - 1956
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| Ordained on |
23 - 12 - 1980
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| Elected as Bishop on |
10 - 01 - 2013
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Ordained Bishop at Kothamangalam on
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09 - 02 - 2013
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| Installed on | 09 - 02 - 2013 |
His priestly ministry started with the appointment as the assistant warden of Nirmala High School, Muvattupuzha (05/01/1981- 15/05/1981) and then as assistant parish priest at the Cathedral (15/05/1981- 18/03/1982), Arakuzha (18/03/1982- 19/03/1983), and Paingottoor (25/03/1983- 28/08/1984) parishes. When he was assistant at Paingottor parish, he also had the charge of the parish priest of Punnamattam. In 1984, he was sent for higher studies and in 1989 he secured from the Oriental Institute in Rome his Doctorate in Canon Law on the subject: "the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI): An Inter-ecclesial Assembly". As he returned, he was appointed the parish priest in charge of Thennathoor, Neriamangalam, and Bethel successively. He was also the notary of the Eparchial Tribunal and later served as the Defender of Bond and continued as an Eparchial Judge. He was appointed as the first resident parish priest of Njarakkad (23/04/1990 to 15/05/1993).
God made another turn in his life by appointing him as professor in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He served the seminary as professor, Vice-Rector and Rector for a long span of 17 years. His simplicity and humble words resembled the human face of Jesus and the seminarians got inspiration from him. He was patient enough to hear and efficient enough to guide, which helped in the formation of many loving priests for the Church. After his term of Rectorship in the seminary he was appointed as the parish priest of St. Mary's Forane Church, Arakuzha where he truly lived as a father of the people of God. His words and deeds were inspired by prayer and communion with God, especially with Our Lady. His readiness to give ear to the sorrows of the oppressed and the needy made him a real priest of Christ.
On January 10, 2013, the 56th anniversary of the inauguration of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam, the people of God heard the announcement 'We have a new Bishop'. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil was enthroned on February 9, 2013 as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam when Mar George Punnakottil retired from office. The motto taken by His Excellency is:
Love Never Ends(1 Cor. 13,8)
BISHOP EMERITUS: Mar George Punnakottil. M.A.,S.T.D.,L.S.S.
Born at Thazhuvamkunnu on
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13 - 09 - 1936
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Ordained Presbyter in Rome on
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18 - 10 - 1961
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Appointed Bishop on
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26 - 02 - 1977
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Ordained Bishop at Kothamangalam on
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24 - 04 - 1977
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Installed on
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24 - 04 - 1977
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Retired on
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09 - 02 - 2013
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Mar George Punnakottil was born on 13th September 1936 at Thazhavankunnu. After matriculation in 1953 from Infant Jesus High School, Vazhakulam he joined the Minor Seminary at Ernakulam. He did his philosophical studies at St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha and theological studies at the Pontifical Urban University,Rome.
He was ordained a presbyter in Rome on 18th October1961 through the imposition of hands by Mar Matthew Kavukatt, the then Metropolitan of the archdiocese of Changanacherry.He took licentiate in the study of Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and doctorate in Biblical theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
His first appointment in the Eparchy was as the Assistant Parish Priest of St.George's Cathedral, Kothamangalam. In 1968 he joined the staff of the St.Thomas' Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor where he served mertoriously as the professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology.
In 1974 he left for the United States of America on sabbatical year to further pursue his studies. He obtained a master's degree in International relations from the Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tennesse State in 1976. He was a visiting scholar in the Union Theological Seminary in 1976.
Coming back to India in 1976 he resumed his office as professor at St.Thomas' Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He also served the Seminary as its Vice Rector and Editor of the periodical "Bible Bhaashyam". He has written a number of scholarly articles in periodicals and two books on the Bible. On 26th February 1977 he was appointed the Bishop of the diocese of Kothamangalam. His Episcopal Ordination was on 24th April 1977.
He was:
- Vice-President: CBCI.
- Chairman: Bible Commission, Kerala Catholic Bible Society.
- Chairman: Commission for Liturgy.
- Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue.
- Member of the Pontifical Council for the Cultural Treasures of the Church, Rome.
- Member of CBCI Standing Committee.
Address : NESTT, Pastoral Centre, Muvattupuzha Kerala, India 686 671,
Tel:0485 2830066
E-mail: bppunnakottil@hotmail.com
Born at Arakuzha on
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22 - 12 - 1903
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Ordained Presbyter at Kandy on
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02 - 10 - 1932
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Appointed Bishop on
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30 - 07 - 1956
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Ordained Bishop in Rome on
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18 - 11 - 1956
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Installed on
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10 - 01 - 1957
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Retired on
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24 - 04 - 1977
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Died on
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06 - 02 - 1982
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The first one called by God to guide His people of Kothamangalam was born at Nadukara, in Arakuzha parish, near Muvattupuzha, on December 22,1903. His primary and secondary education were at Infant Jesus High School Vazhakulam, Govt. High School Muvattupuzha, St.Joseph's School Pavaratty and St.Mary's High School Aluva. After finishing his school education he joined Sacred Heart Minor Seminary Aluva in 1923. His philosophical and theological studies were at Kandy Seminary, Ceylone. He was ordained a priest on October 2,1932 by Bishop G.Rocky of Tuticorin. Meantime he had obtained Ph.D and D.D.
After returning to the diocese, he served his own home parish Arakuzha as Assistant Vicar for a short period. Later, he was appointed as the Rector of Malankara Minor Seminary, Trivandrum. He was also the Secretary to His Excellency Mar Ivanious at that time. Later he was appointed as the Vicar General of Ernakulam Archdiocese. He held the post for ten years.
Later he was appointed as the parish priest of Vazhakulam Forane Church. On July 30,1956 he was chosen as the First Bishop of Kothamangalam diocese. His episcopal ordination was at Rome on 18 November 1956. After serving the diocese meritoriously for almost two decades, Mar Pothanamuzhi retired on April 24, 1977. He passed away on February 6,1982.
After returning to the diocese, he served his own home parish Arakuzha as Assistant Vicar for a short period. Later, he was appointed as the Rector of Malankara Minor Seminary, Trivandrum. He was also the Secretary to His Excellency Mar Ivanious at that time. Later he was appointed as the Vicar General of Ernakulam Archdiocese. He held the post for ten years.
Later he was appointed as the parish priest of Vazhakulam Forane Church. On July 30,1956 he was chosen as the First Bishop of Kothamangalam diocese. His episcopal ordination was at Rome on 18 November 1956. After serving the diocese meritoriously for almost two decades, Mar Pothanamuzhi retired on April 24, 1977. He passed away on February 6,1982.
