MAR FRANCIS VAZHAPILLY (1921 - 1942)

Dr. Francis Vazhapilly was born on 18th of May, 1878 at Puthenvelikara, ordained priest on 22nd December, 1906, nominated titular bishop of Philadelphia and Vicar Apostolic of Trichur on 5th April, 1921. He was consecrated bishop on 6th of July of the same year in the Lourde's Cathedral by the Delegate Apostolic H. Ex. Dr. Peter Pisani and took charge on the same day. On 21st December, 1923, when the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy was established, Dr. Francis Vazhapilly became the first bishop of the Eparchy of Trichur. In 1929 he made his " Ad Limina" Visit to Rome. He passed away on 12th May, 1942, and his body was laid to rest in the Basilica of our Lady of Dolours, Trichur. In 1999 a part of his mortal remains was brought to Lourde's Metropolitan Cathedral and interred in its crypt.

MAR GEORGE ALAPATT (1944 - 1970)

Born on 11th of February 1900at Karanchira, Dr. George Alapatt had his college education at St. Thomas' College, Trichur and his ecclesiastical education at the Propaganda Fide College, Rome, where he took his PhD and S.T.D. He was ordained priest on 17th of December, 1927 and nominated Bishop of Trichur on 11th March, 1944. He was consecrated Bishop on 1st of May, 1944 at Trichur by H. Ex. Dr. Leo P. Kierkels, the Apostolic Delegate, and on the same day he took charge of the Eparchy. He attended all the four Sessions of the Vatican Council II (1962 - 1965). In 1967 the University of Detroit conferred on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor in Human Letters. In 1969, on the occasion of his Episcopal Silver Jubilee, H. H. Pope Paul VI nominated him as "assistant at the Papal Throne". He retired on 4th June, 1970, and was appointed titulaishop of Irenopolis in Isauria. He continued as administrator of the Eparchy till 16th August 1970.

While he was taking rest at Sarto Sadan, Karanchira, on 6th of Nov-ember, 1973, he slept in the Lord and in accordance with his desire his body was interred at St. Pius X Chapel in Karanchira. On 10th Feb. 1999 a part of his mortal remains was brought from Karanchira and interred in the crypt of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Thrissur.

MAR JOSEPH KUNDUKULAM (1970 - 1997)

Born on 26th of September, 1917 at Parappur, Mar Joseph Kundukulam had his ecclesiastical studies at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained priest on the 20th of December, 1942. Ever since his ordination he got immersed in the pastoral ministry till he was nominated Bishop. He was the director of St. Anne's Charitable Institute from 1958 to1970. He started St. Christina's Home, Pullazhy, a rehabilitation center for Unwedded mothers, in the Year 1967. He dedicated his life for the service of the poor and is widely acknowledged as "father of the poor". He was an excellent retreat preacher who emphasizes that Christianity is truly a joining together of earth with heaven. He was an apostle of Christ who is concerned with Man's Heavenly and earthly good. In a changing world he raised his mind above the changing conditions of earthly existence to the rights of eternal life which will be consummated in unending happiness and peace. Nominated Bishop of Trichur by Pope Paul VI on 4th of June 1970 and consecrated on 16th of August 1970 by Bishop

George Alappatt, he took charge of the Eparchy on the same day. In 1995 he was nominated the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur by Pope John Paul II and was installed on 27th August 1995 by His Beatitude Major Archbishop Antony Cardinal Padiyara. He retired on 15th Feb 1997.

He took rest at St. Christina's Home, Pullzhy and died during his visit to Mission stations in Africa on 26th April 1998 at Wamba in Kenya. He was interred in the crypt of Lourde's Metropolitan Cathedral on 29th April 1998.

MAR JACOB THOOMKUZHY

Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy was born at Vilakumadam in the Eparchy of Palai on December 13, 1930. At present his family belongs to the Sacred Heart Parish, Thiruvambady in the Eparchy of Thamarassery. He had his seminary studies at the St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye and Pontifical Urban University, Rome. After ordination he continued his studies in Rome and took his Doctorate in Canon and Civil Law from the Lateran University, Rome. On coming back he was appointed secretary of Mar Sebastian Vallopilly the then Bishop of Thalassery and Chancellor of the same Eparchy. Later he was appointed Rector of the Eparchial Minor Seminary at Tellicharry. After a few years he resumed his studies at Fordham University, NewYork from where he holds a Masters degree in English literature.

   Soon after his return from the United States of America he was again appointed Rector of the Eparchial Minor Seminary, Tellicherry and worked there until his nomination as the first Bishop of the newly erected Eparchy of Mananthavady in 1973. He was ordained Bishop on May 1st, 1973 by the late Joseph Cardinal Parecattil assisted by late Mar Sebastian Vayalil and Mar Sebastian Valloppilly. The Bishop took charge of the diocese on the same day. He served the Eparchy of Manathavady for 22 Years.

   On 7th June,     1995   he    was appointed bishop of Thamarassery and took charge of his office on 28 July 1995. On 18th Dec. 1996, he was appointed Archbishop of Trichur and was installed on Feb. 15, 1997. Marymatha Major Seminary, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Jeevan TV., Jyothi Engineering College, Mahajubilee Training College (B.Ed. College), etc. are some of his pioneering contributions to the Catholic Church and society. He retired from the office on 18th March 2007 and stays at St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Madona Nagar, Trichur.