Bishop Francis Kallarakal Appointed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly

NEW DELHI, Feb. 22, 2010, 14.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Rev. Francis Kallarakal Bishop of Kottapuram, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly Archdiocese, Kerala. The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Saturday, 20 Feb. 2010 at 04.30 pm Indian Standard Time.

Bishop Kallarakal was born on 10 October 1941 at Kottapuram. He joined St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Ernakulam in 1956. After completing pre-degree course from St. Albert’s College Ernakulam, he joined St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva for pursuing studies in philosophy. He completed his theology course from Urbaniana Propaganda College in Rome and was ordained priest on 29th June 1968 for the Archdiocese of Verapoly. He also holds a Post Graduation from Fairfield University USA. Bishop Francis served from 1968 - 1970 the assistant vicar at Pius X Church, Fairfield, USA, 1970 - 1971 assistant vicar at Cruz Milagris Church Kurisinkal of the Verapoly Archdiocese, 1971 - 1978 Secretary to Archbishop of Verapoly, 1978 - 1986 Director of Social Service of Archdiocese of Verapoly, 1986 - 1987 One of the Directors of St. John's Hospital, Bangalore and Chairman - Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF) of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.

The diocese of Kottapuram was eructed by the Holy Father John Paul II, through the Papal Bull "Quo Aptius" dated July 3, 1987, Bishop Francis Kallarakal was appointed the first Bishop of the new diocese by the Apostolic Letter "Romaniet Pontificis" dated July 3, 1987. Together with the Episcopal ordination of the Bishop elect Dr. Francis Kallarakal, on the feast day of St. Francis Assisi, the Diocese of Kottapuram was officially inaugurated on October 4, 1987.

Presently bishop Kallarakal is the Chairman of the KCBC Health Commission, Vice Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission, Chairman of the KRLCBC Media Commission, Chairman Jeevandum Trust and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary Carmelgiri, Aluva.