The Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarackal - The New Archbishop of Verapoly
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarackal the new Archbishop of Verapoly. The appointment was made known on February 20, 2010 at 4. 30 pm Indian Standard Time in the Archdiocese of Verapoly, in the diocese of Kottapuram as well as in Rome. Dr. Francis Kallarackal is the first bishop of Kottapuram and has been heading the diocese since 1987.
Born to Kallarackal Ouso and Brigitte of Kottapuram on October 10, 1941, he joined the St. Joseph's Minor Seminary 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 Propaganda College, Rome and was ordained priest on June 29, 1968. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome and post graduation from Fairfiled University, USA. When he returned from abroad in 1970, he was appointed secretary to the then Archbishop Joseph Kelanthara.
From 1978 to 1986, he served as the social action director of the Archdiocese. He was then appointed the adminstrator of St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, which is established and managed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. In 1987, as the Diocese of Kottapuram was created through the bifurcation of the Archdiocese of Verapoly, he became the first bishop of Kottapuram.
Archbishop-elect Dr. Kallarackal is presently serving as vice-chairman of the Media Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, chairman of the Carmelgiri Pontifical Seminary Episcopal Commission and the Church's publication "Jeevanadam".
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May He Rest in Peace!
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Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil was called to eternity on October 26, 2009. He was a member of Discalced Carmelite Order, Manjummel Province, Kerala, India. He was born of Rocky and Monica Acharuparambil in Palliport, in Kerala, India, on May 12, 1939.
After his School-Leaving Examination he joined the Carmelite order at Ernakulam in May 1956. He completed his philosophy and theology courses at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye and was ordained priest on March 14, 1966. He acquired a bachelor-degree in Economics, Licentiate in Philosophy and a Master-degree in Indian Philosophy from University of Kerala, Pontifical Athenaeum in Poona and Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi respectively.
In 1972 he started teaching at Pontifical University of Urbaniana (P.U.U), Rome. He was awarded a Ph. D from Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome in 1978.
In 1986 he became Dean of the Faculty of Missiology at P. U. U. From 1988 to 1994, ie for two terms, he also served as rector magnificus at P. U. U.
He had been consulter of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue for 5 years since 1990. He was also consulter of the Congregation for Evangelization of the Peoples. Presently he is a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Diologue.
He was nominated Archbishop on August 5, 1996 and was consecrated at Ernakulam on November 3, 1996 by His Eminence Josef Cardinal Tomko, the then Prefect of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Rome. The same day he received the Pallium.
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Teaching responsibilities
| 1972 to 1996 |
Pontificia Universita Urbaniana |
| 1 March 1994 |
Ordinary Professor |
| 13 May 1981 |
Extraordinary Professor |
| 1973 - 1983 |
Pontificia Universita Lateranense |
| 1976 |
Pontificia Facolta Teologica,"Teresianum" |
| 1980 |
Visiting Professor, Teresian Institute of Spirituality, Kalamasery |
| 1977 |
Instituto Studi Asiatici, of P.I.M.E. Fathers Milano; |
| 1977 |
Seminario Vescovile di Padova; Intensive course on Hinduism . |
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| Other higher responsibilities |
| 1986 - 1988 |
Dean of the Faculty of Missiology, P.U.U. |
| 1988 - 1991 |
Rettore Magnifico of P.U.U. |
| 1990 - 1995 |
Consultor of the Pontificial Council - for Inter-religious Dialogue |
| 1991 - 1996 |
Consultor of the Congregation - for Evangelization of Peoples |
| 1996- |
Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Diologue |
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