Gratian Mundadan

Mar

Gratian Mundadan

CMI
Bishop Emeritus of Eparchy of Bijnor
ChurchSyro-Malabar Catholic Church
DioceseEparchy of Bijnor
Appointed26 February 1977
Term ended14 August 2009
PredecessorSee established
SuccessorJohn Vadakel
Previous postApostolic Exarch of Bijnor (1972–1977)
Orders
Ordination17 May 1964
Consecration6 November 1977
by Joseph Parecattil
Personal details
Born (1933-05-15) 15 May 1933

Mar Gratian Mundadan, CMI (born 15 May 1933) is an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic hierarch, who served as the first bishop of the Eparchy of Bijnor from 1977 to 2009. He previously served as the Apostolic Exarch of Bijnor from 1972 until the jurisdiction was elevated to a diocese in 1977.[1][2]

Early life and education

Gratian Mundadan was born on 15 May 1933 in Puthenpally, Alangad, in present-day Ernakulam district of Kerala, India.[1][2] He joined the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), a religious congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church, and was professed on 16 May 1958.[3]

He was ordained a priest on 17 May 1964.[1] Before becoming a bishop, he served in pastoral ministry and in education, including as a lecturer in mathematics at Sacred Heart College, Thevara.[2]

Episcopal ministry

On 23 March 1972, Mundadan was appointed the first Apostolic Exarch of Bijnor, a missionary jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar Church in northern India.[1]

When the Apostolic Exarchate was elevated to the Eparchy of Bijnor on 26 February 1977, he was appointed its first bishop.[1] He was consecrated a bishop on 6 November 1977; the principal consecrator was Joseph Parecattil, Archbishop of Ernakulam.[1]

He served as bishop of Bijnor for more than three decades and oversaw the development of the young mission diocese.[2]

His resignation was accepted on 14 August 2009.[4] He was succeeded by John Vadakel.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bishop Gratian Mundadan, C.M.I." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI". Diocese of Bijnor. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Mar Gratian Mundadan CMI". Syro-Malabar Church. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Rinuncia del Vescovo di Bijnor (India) e nomina del successore". Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 11 March 2026.