George Njaralakatt
George Njaralakatt ܡܪܝ ܓܝܘܪܓܝܣ | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop Emeritus Tellicherry | |
 | |
| Church | Syro Malabar Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Tellicherry |
| Elected | 29 August 2014 |
| In office | 30 October 2014 – 15 January 2022 |
| Retired | 15 January 2022 |
| Predecessor | Archbishop Mar George Valiamattam |
| Successor | Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany |
| Previous posts | Bishop of Mandya Vicar General Diosece of Bhadravathy |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 20 December 1971 by Mar Sebastian Vallopilly |
| Consecration | 7 April 2010 |
| Rank | Metropolitan Archbishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 June 1946 |
| Residence | Bishop's House, Tellicherry |
| Education | St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha University of Mysore Pontifical Salesian University, Rome |
Mar George Njaralakatt (born 23 June 1946) is an archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. He served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry from 2014 until his retirement on 15 January 2022.[1] He was also the first Bishop of the Diocese of Mandya. Known for a pastoral style often described as "lovely, paternal, and approachable," he played a significant role in organizing the migrant Syro-Malabar community in Karnataka and revitalizing catechetical formation in India.
Early life
George Njaralakatt was born to Varkey and Mary Njaralakatt on 23 June 1946 at Kalayanthani in Thodupuzha Taluk in Idukki District. His LP School studies were at St. Josephs School, Arakuzha and he completed UP at St. Marys High School near Muvattupuzha. His family migrated to Malabar in 1960 and settled in Nadavayal, Wayanad, where he completed high school studies at St. Thomas High School, Nadavayal. After high school he joined St. Joseph's Minor Seminary Thalasserry, Tellicherry, later on he completed his philosophy and theology at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva, achieved a BA degree at Mysore University.[2][3][4] He also holds a Licentiate in Catechetical Theology from Salesian Pontifical University, Rome.
Priesthood
After completing college studies, he joined St. Joseph's Minor Seminary in Thalasserry in 1963. He was ordained a priest on 20 December 1971 at Thalassery by Sebastian Valloppilly. Following his ordination, he served in various pastoral capacities within the archdiocese, including a tenure as Vicar General of the Diocese of Bhadravathi. From 2007 to 2010, he served as the Vicar of St. Mary's Forane Church, Arakuzha.
Episcopal ministry
Bishop of Mandya (2010–2014)
On 18 January 2010, he was appointed the Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Mandya, in Karnataka and was consecrated on 7 April 2010 at the Infant Jesus Cathedral Church at Hinkal, Mysore.[5]
As the first shepherd of the "infant diocese," Mar Njaralakatt was tasked with building the diocese's administrative and pastoral foundations from the ground up. The region was largely a mission field, home to thousands of Syro-Malabar migrants who had left Kerala for employment but lacked a cohesive ecclesiastical structure. His tenure was marked by extensive travel to remote mission stations to connect with the scattered faithful. He focused on establishing systems to address the "pain of the migrant," prioritizing the preservation of liturgical identity among the diaspora. His foundational work paved the way for the diocese's later expansion to include Bengaluru.
Archbishop of Thalassery (2014–2022)
On 30 October 2014, he was raised as the Archbishop of Archdiocese of Tellicherry at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Tellicherry.[6]
References
- ^ "George Njaralakatt as Archbishop". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Early life of Bishop George". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "Early life of Bishop George". Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "Early life of Bishop George". Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "Ordination details". Retrieved 26 December 2013.;"George Njaralakatt appointed as Mandya Bishop". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.;"Appointed as Bishop of Mandya". Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "Details about Bishop". Retrieved 26 December 2013.;"Archbishop Mar George Njaralakatt Biography". Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.;"Pope approves appointment of Archbishop of Tellicherry". Retrieved 13 February 2015.;"Pope approves new archbishop". Retrieved 13 February 2015.
External links
