Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-88
Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnassery
Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnassery has led the Knanaya community with courage for thirty-seven years, guiding his flock to both spiritual and material growth. He was born on September 11, 1928, as the youngest son of Joseph and Annamma in the ancient and prestigious Kunnassery family of Kaduthuruthy. The Kunnassery family has historically been involved in brave struggles for the nation, the church, and the community. His education took place at various institutions, including the Kottayam Idakkattu School, C.N.I. School, and St. Michael’s Middle School in Kaduthuruthy.
After completing his high school education, Kuriakose joined the Minor Seminary at Thiruhidayakkunnu to begin his priestly studies. While studying theology at the seminary in Aluva, he was sent by the diocesan bishop for higher studies at the Propaganda College in Rome. After completing his priestly education, Brother Kuriakose received ordination from Cardinal Clement Micara on December 21, 1955. The next day, he celebrated his first Mass at the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Following his ordination, he stayed in Rome for some time for further studies, obtaining a Licentiate in Theology from the Urban University and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Lateran University. He was the first priest to earn a J.U.D. degree from the Kottayam Diocese.
Returning home with multiple degrees, Kuriakose served as the secretary to the bishop and as diocesan chancellor. After two years, he left again for further studies, earning a Master’s degree in Political Science from Boston College in the United States. Upon his return to Kerala, he was reappointed as the secretary to his father and as diocesan chancellor. He then became a teacher at B.C.M. College in Kottayam, where he gained recognition for his teaching skills.
In addition to his teaching role, he served as the editor of the Apnadesh magazine, chaplain of the Caritas Secular Institute, and vice president of the board of directors of Caritas Hospital. Later, he was appointed rector of the Thiruhidayakkunnu Seminary. While serving as rector, on December 9, 1967, Pope Paul VI appointed him as the auxiliary bishop of Kottayam with the right of succession. The consecration took place on February 24, 1968, at Thiruhidayakkunnu, with Cardinal Maxmilian Defoostenberg as the principal celebrant.
Upon the retirement of Mar Thomas Tharayil on May 5, 1974, he took over the diocese. In the platinum jubilee commemorative volume of the Kottayam diocese, it is stated, “The bishop is primarily a teacher of the truths of faith. His fervor in teaching these truths to his flock is commendable. His knowledge enables him to clarify matters to others. His speeches are not merely passionate or emotional but provoke thought and stir the heart, leading to deeper reflection and solid convictions.”
His exceptional ability to handle multiple languages is noteworthy. He is recognized as an able administrator in Kunnassery. The experiences gained from handling responsible tasks alongside his father, combined with his profound knowledge of ethical matters, have contributed significantly to his success in administration. His remarkable memory astonishes everyone, aiding him in justly distributing responsibilities and making sound decisions in challenging situations.
The love for the community is a sentiment deeply embedded in the bishop’s heart. He is always vigilant in preserving traditions and heritage. Understanding that awareness is essential for community unity, he has planned various initiatives accordingly. His efforts in establishing Hadoos for the protection of Christian traditions are particularly commendable.
He has also taken a firm stand in preserving Eastern liturgical practices. Due to the community’s alienation from the broader atmosphere, his efforts to bring back those who have drifted away will never be forgotten. The Knanaya people, who had settled in the high ranges and Malabar, sought to establish their own temples but faced inaction on their applications. Once Father Kunnassery took over the diocese, he initiated the establishment of new temples in various locations. His ability to secure thousands of families who might have been lost to other communities is a matter of pride.
As the number of parishes increased, so did the strength and cohesion of the community. With the establishment of the Barumariyam Pastoral Center in Kannur, we can see the powerful contributions of Father Kuriakose behind the progress of Malabar and the possibilities of starting a new diocese.
The “Thuvanisah” prayer hall established in Kothanalloor with the aim of maintaining spiritual vitality among priests, monks, and nuns is a testament to the long vision of Father Kunnassery. Recognizing the endless possibilities of evangelization through social work, Father Kunnassery initiated numerous projects. One of the most important is the Kottayam Social Service Society. A significant portion of the funds collected for the platinum jubilee celebrations of the diocese has been allocated for social work. The old-age homes established in the various parts of the diocese for those who lack love and care during their twilight years are examples of Father’s social vision.
The achievements in the fields of education and healthcare within the diocese are commendable. The silver jubilee of the priestly ordination of Mar Kuriakose Kunnassery, along with the golden jubilee, the silver jubilee of his episcopal ordination, and the celebrations of his seventieth and seventy-fifth anniversaries, reflect the great interest the Knanaya community has in their father. Below are some excerpts from an article written by Sabu Kuryan, editor of Apnadesham News, in the supplement for the elevation of Mar Mathew Mulakkad (Malayala Manorama, January 14, 2005):
“Father Kunnassery is a shepherd who has dedicated everything for his people. He is a shepherd who sought out people. Wherever the Knanaya people are in the world, Father Kunnassery reached them all. He united them all under the single banner of unity. The bond that can call out the names of the majority in the community is the relationship this shepherd has nurtured. In the 1980s, Father conceived and implemented a plan to visit all the houses in the Kottayam diocese, which was a first in the Kerala church. Father Kunnassery had a compassionate heart that would shed tears for those suffering in the struggles of life. The old-age homes, orphanages, children’s homes, centers for abandoned sick individuals, and care centers for those affected by HIV/AIDS that have emerged in the diocese stand tall as examples of his service and dedication.
The Karithas Cancer Institute is a shining example of his missionary path. This institution, completed within a year, has become a refuge for thousands in Central Kerala. The heart care unit, starting under the name of a dream project at Karithas, will also manifest as a symbol of Father Kunnassery’s commitment to the community. The Knanaya community has advanced significantly in technical fields today. The foundation for this has been laid by nursing schools and other educational institutions. Father Kunnassery prepared the necessary groundwork for all of this by reading the signs of the times ahead. He has been able to provide brilliant leadership to a community that embodies both unity and tradition, overcoming the challenges of the modern era. That life was a gift he offered to the church and the community.
Father Kunnassery is also known for his readiness to provide pastoral care to the Knanaya people in both the High Range and Malabar regions. He has made efforts to establish such centers in Bangalore, Mumbai, and New Delhi, outside Kerala. It was Father Kunnassery who first sent a priest abroad for mission work. Today, there are about sixteen Knanaya mission centers functioning in the United States and Canada.
The Kottayam Social Service Society and the Malabar Social Service Society are making remarkable contributions to the field of social service. Through the self-supporting organizations under this umbrella, thousands of people from various backgrounds are being uplifted to a better life. It is also worth mentioning that a crore of rupees was raised for tsunami rehabilitation to construct 38 homes.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Kottur writes: “Father Kunnassery has contributed significantly to the church and society in roles as a mediator of joy, a leader of unity, a canon law expert, and an eloquent speaker. The hospitality extended to his home in Kottayam to the needy, various marginalized groups, political parties, and the destitute reflects the bishop’s generous heart.”
The Knanaya community is one that deeply honors its elders, with Mar Kunnassery being at the forefront. When he sees trustworthy and capable elders, Father Kunnassery contemplates how the diocese can benefit from them. In general, in Kerala, no one attempts to create a memorial for elders. Not a single person has yet made arrangements to honor notable figures who have provided invaluable services to the country and the community, such as Thachin Mathew, Shev. Ilanjikkal Tharyathu Kunhithomman, M.M. Varkey (Dasan Varkey), and I.C. Chacko. Meanwhile, the Kottayam diocese has established a training college in the name of Shev. V.J. Joseph, thereby commemorating him.
Father Kunnassery has honored numerous elders with paper awards. Justice Siryak Joseph remarked during the Golden Jubilee closing ceremony of the priestly ordination: “Father has been a leader in acknowledging and encouraging elders. No other diocese in Kerala can match this. When honoring an individual, it is their values and life philosophies that are being respected. Father Kunnassery, who possessed a unique personality, was everything to everyone… This was a period of significant growth for the elder organizations in the archdiocese. Father provided them with all kinds of support and encouragement, and through imaginative suggestions, he empowered the elder movements.”
Father Kunnassery aspired for his community to grow in the political, social, and cultural arenas and worked towards that goal, which is widely recognized. Quoting St. Augustine’s words, “I am your bishop, and I am also a Christian with you,” Mar Kuriakose Kunnassery assumed the position of bishop on February 24, 1968, and retired to a life of rest on January 14, 2006, after 37 years of dedicated service. With his successor, a learned and mature Father Mulakkad, receiving authority, the Kottayam diocese had long desired to be elevated to an archdiocese, and Father Kunnassery worked towards this goal.
Having succeeded in this endeavor, the joy of the Knanaya community is evident as Kottayam diocese has been elevated to an archdiocese, with Father Kunnassery appointed as its first archbishop.
