Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-75 Fr. Joseph Koyilparambil

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-75
Fr. Joseph Koyilparambil
Fr. Joseph Koyilparambil, who has rendered remarkable services to the Church, nation, and community in India and the United States for over half a century, was born on December 15, 1927, to the parents Savio and Rebecca in Alappuzha. The Koyilparambil family has contributed over twelve clergy members to the Church, and similarly, many notable clergy members have emerged from his maternal family as well. Regarding his maternal uncle, the Rev. Fr. Pascal Baylon, the renowned Chavara Kuriakose writes in his autobiography, “Previously, the esteemed Pascal Baylon de Jesu Maria was chosen as a confessor by our Bishop and came here…” Many affectionate references are made to Baylon in Chavara’s writings.
When Chavara conferred the priesthood at Arttunkal Church, it was Fr. Pascal Baylon who assisted him as secretary to the then Bishop Stabillini. The Church historians note that during a period when there was only one Bishop (Stabillini) presiding over Kerala, Joseph Koyilparambil, the nephew of Fr. Joseph, became the first Jesuit rector from India. At that time, there were twelve priests in the Koyilparambil family.
He completed his secondary education with ranks at Alappuzha Leo XIII High School, the only Jesuit institution in the then Travancore State, after taking the Latin syllabus. He was then sent to the seminary in Kandy. In 1953, he was ordained as the first priest of the newly formed Alappuzha diocese.
After returning to the diocese, Fr. Joseph served as secretary to Bishop Arattukulam and as the vicar for the parishes of Thumpoli and Omanapuzha. He taught for five years at Arttunkal High School and was appointed the first headmaster of Holy Family High School in Kottur. Under his leadership, Holy Family achieved the highest SSLC results in Alappuzha district. The school, located in a rural area, attracted visits from two governors and several prominent officials. He worked diligently to instill discipline in students through organizations like the school band, NCC, Girl Scouts, and Bulbuls. By enrolling all children in the National Saving Scheme, he also secured first place in that aspect in the district.
Fr. Joseph presented the entire story of Christ through a ballet dance performed by five hundred children on a stage arranged on three levels. These were innovative initiatives at that time. As an educational leader with profound knowledge and respect for other religions, he was often invited to speak at various inter-religious conferences. His service extended beyond the confines of the school; after school hours, he visited homes in the community, encouraging families to participate in small investment schemes to ensure financial stability.
Representing the Alappuzha diocese during its early days, he participated in All India Education Conferences from Chandigarh to Thiruvananthapuram and social service leadership gatherings across India. While serving as the National Chaplain for Teams of Our Lady, he represented the organization at an international conference in Fatima, which brought together representatives from twenty-six nations, including two cardinals, eight bishops, and approximately fifty priests.
Fr. Joseph obtained advanced degrees from Fordham University and State University and was an active participant in several educational conferences as a member of the Fordham Administrators Association. He appeared as a moderator in American television debates about the justifications for the Vietnam War. The first Divine Liturgy in the “Indian Rite” on American television became a topic of discussion in the press. In the 1970s, as the number of Indians in America was low, he also involved American women by dressing them in sarees, which became a topic of conversation at that time. He frequently appeared on American television to deliver messages during Easter and Christmas.
Fr. Joseph played a prominent role in organizing the World Malayalam Conferences held in New York, Washington, and Berlin, Germany. He was the founding president of the Kerala Cultural Association in New Jersey. An active member of various organizations, including the Sargavedhi, Literary Society, and Kerala Samajam in New York, he provided valuable services to the Indian Catholic Association and the Larin Catholic Association.
Fr. Joseph has served as the chairman of the St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation twice and played a crucial role in organizing a significant protest in New York following the massacre of Australian missionaries and their children, which echoed internationally. He led initiatives that raised awareness on a global scale, including a reception for the widow and children of Stailsey at the United Nations, and spearheaded various impactful projects as president of the St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation.
Fr. Joseph also facilitated the sale of shares when the Thrissur Bishop visited New York during the early days of the Ecumenical Federation. The St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation was the first to plan housing projects in Kerala long before the tsunami. Fr. Joseph earned a master’s degree in theology from Darlington Seminary, where he also taught at Mount St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s High School in New Jersey.
During his service in New Jersey, he visited prisons to offer Divine Liturgy to inmates, helping them maintain connections with their families. He provided comfort to patients in hospitals and coordinated community healthcare initiatives involving doctors and nurses.
After returning from studies in America, Fr. Joseph took charge of the Alappuzha St. Anthony’s Orphanage, focusing on instilling self-esteem in students from primary to ITC College. He promoted various fields while ensuring financial stability for the institution before moving on, and many of his students now serve excellently in prominent positions.
Inspired by Fr. Kandal’s “Save a Family” initiative, which began in America, financial assistance continues to reach around two thousand families in India through the Franciscan Family Apostolate. Recognizing Fr. Koyilparambil’s distinguished services in the church, social, and cultural fields, the international organization Knights of Columbus awarded him membership, the KNIGHTHOOD honor certificate, and a gold medal.
He began his literary service as the editor of the diocesan mouthpiece “Catholic Life” and continues to contribute through timely publications. He wrote the cover-page article regarding Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1986 for the magazines Manorama, Deepika, Kerala Rai, and Kerala Kaumudi. He also contributed to publications like the Examiner, New Leader, and Herald in India. In America, he wrote a weekly column for Cedengrave Times and “Kairali” under the title “Our Column.” Writing for various periodicals became a hobby for Fr. Joseph.