Jacob Thoomkuzhy

Mar

Jacob Thoomkuzhy
Archbishop Emeritus of Trichur
Thoomkuzhy in 2012
ProvinceArcheparchy of Trissur
DioceseThrissur
SeeThrissur
Appointed11 November 1996
Term ended22 January 2007
PredecessorJoseph Kundukulam
SuccessorAndrews Thazhath
Other postsBishop of Mananthavady (1973–1995), Bishop of Thamarassery (1995–1996) Jeevan TV, Marymatha Major Seminary, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Jyothi Engineering College, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur, Mahajubilee Training College
Orders
Ordination22 December 1956
by Pietro Sigismondi
Consecration1 May 1973
by Joseph Parecattil, Sebastian Vayalil and Sebastian Valloppilly
Personal details
Born(1930-12-13)13 December 1930
Vilakumadam, Palai, Kingdom of Travancore, India (present-day Kerala, India)
Died17 September 2025(2025-09-17) (aged 94)
Thrissur, Kerala, India
DenominationSyro-Malabar Catholic Church
ResidenceSt. Mary's Minor Seminary, Madona Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Alma materMangalapuzha Seminary, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Pontifical Lateran University, Fordham University

Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy (13 December 1930 – 17 September 2025) was an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic hierarch. He was the first bishop of the Mananthavady eparchy, second bishop of the Thamarassery eparchy, and the second Metropolitan archbishop of the Archeparchy of Trichur in India.[1][2][3]

Biography

Thoomkuzy was born on 13 December 1930 to Kurian and Rosa Thoomkuzhy in Vilakumadam, today a part of the state of Kerala in India and at the time a part of the Kingdom of Travancore, one of the many princely states of the British Raj.[4] Both his parents were farmers from Pala in the Kottayam district; Jacob was the fourth amongst their twelve children.[5] The Thoomkuzhy family later moved to Thiruvambady in Kozhikode.[6]

In 1947, he joined the minor seminary at Changanacherry.[5] Following a long period of philosophical study at the Aluva seminary, Thomkuzhy travelled to Rome to pursue theology. In Rome, he was ordained a priest on 22 December 1956, at the age of 26.[4][7] He remained in Rome for another four years to obtain a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University.[5] He served as secretary to bishop Sebastian Valloppilly Eparchy of Tellicherry and the chancellor, while also providing assistance to several parishes within the eparchy.[4][5] He later became Rector of the Minor Seminary in Thalassery, before pursuing a master's degree in English literature at Fordham University in New York City.[8]

Following more than 15 years of service, including participating in pastoral work, Pope Paul VI ordained him Bishop of the newly formed Eparchy of Mananthavady on 1 March 1973. His ordination ceremony occurred exactly two months later on 1 May. Cardinal Joseph Parecattil served as the main consecrator; Sebastian Vayalil, Bishop of the Eparchy of Palai, and Sebastian Valloppilly, Bishop of the Eparchy of Tellicherry, served as co-concentrators.[7] As Bishop, he started the Tribal Community Development Project for the advancement of indigenous people. He founded the Society of Kristudasis (SDK) in 1977 in reaction to the pastoral and missionary needs of the people of the Manathavady eparchy.[5] He was also the vice-president of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) for two terms.[9]

After 22 years as head of Eparchy of Manathanvady, he was transferred to the position of Bishop of Thamarasserry on 18 May 1995. On 7 June 1995, he was appointed bishop of Thamarassery, and took charge of his office on 28 July 1995.[10] On 18 December 1996, he was again transferred as the Archbishop of Trichur and was installed on 15 February 1997.[11]

He served as archbishop until 22 January 2007, when he resigned due to old age.[7] During his tenure, Thoomkuzhy expanded access to education within his archeparchy;[12] he founded the Mary Matha Major Seminary in 1997, the Jyothi Engineering College in 2002, and the Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute in 2003; all three of these institutions are located in the Thrissur area. Additionally, he played a key role in the launch of the Malayalam language-channel Jeevan TV in 2002.[5]

After retiring in 2007, he resided at a local seminary.[13] Thoomkuzy died at 2:50 pm (IST)[5] on 17 September 2025, at the age of 94.[3] He had been under treatment for age-related illnesses for several months prior,[a][4] and had been admitted to the Julibee Mission Medical College Hospital a few days earlier.[5]

Notes

  1. ^ Some sources mislabel his age as "95".

References

  1. ^ "Kodiyeri lauds Church's role". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Nun to present Carnatic concert". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b The Hindu Bureau (17 September 2025). "Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away at 94". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Former archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy dies at 95". The Times of India. 18 September 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Kavi, Jose (17 September 2025). "Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away". Matters India. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Former Thrissur Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away". keralakaumudi.com. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Former Thrissur Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away at 94". Manorama. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Former archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy dies at 95". The Times of India. 18 September 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  10. ^ "KCBC Site". kcbc.co.in. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  11. ^ "founder". societyofkristudasi.com. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  12. ^ Service, Express News (17 September 2025). "Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, Archbishop Emeritus of Thrissur, passes away at 94". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away at 94, leaving legacy of faith and reform". Mathrubhumi. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  • Quotations related to Jacob Thoomkuzhy at Wikiquote
  • Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy at Catholic Hierarchy
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