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Mar George Valiamattam was born
on 16th September, 1938 at Punnathara
in the archdiocese of Changanassery
as the eldest son
of Thomas and
Annamma Valiamattam. His family
later migrated to Kodencherry in
Calicut District. He had his school
education at Nariveli and Punnathara
and minor seminary studies at St.
Mary’s Thope, Thrissur, Philosophical
studies at Carmelgiri, Aluva, and
Theological studies at the Propaganda University, Rome. He was
ordained priest by Mar Sebastian
Valloppilly on 30th November 1963 in
Rome. After his ordination he took
his doctorate in theology from the
Gregorian University, Rome in 1967.
He served the eparchy as assistant
vicar of St. Mary’s Church Kodencherry, Vicar of St. Mary’s
Church Thalanji, Secretary to the
Bishop, Chancellor of the diocese,
Diocesan Director of Catechism and
Mission League and as Rector of the
Minor Seminary. He served in the
diocese of Thamarassery in the
capacity of chancellor, secretary
and Director of Catechism. When
nominated the second Bishop of
Tellicherry, he was Forane Vicar at
St. Thomas Forane Church, Shirady.
He was consecrated Bishop at St.
Joseph’s Cathedral Tellicherry by
the Major Archbishop His Beatitude
Mar Antony Cardinal Padiyara,
Assisted by Joseph Powathil,
Archbiship of Changanassery and Mar
Sebastian Valloppilly, on May 1st
1989 and assumed office on the same
day. When the eparchy of Tellicherry
was raised ot the status of
Metropolitan Archeparchy, he was
promoted and appointed as its first
Metropolitan Archbishop on May 18th
1995.On July 24th 1995, he was
installed as the Archbishop at a
solemn ceremony in St. Joseph’s
Cathedral Presided over by the Major
Archbishop his Beatitude Mar Antony
Cardinal Padiyara. |
