George Punnakottil

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Bishop George Punnakottil
Bishop George Punnakottil, 2011
Pontifical mass of Bishop Punnakottil (center), in the cathedral of Kothamangalam

George Punnakottil (born September 13, 1936 in Thazhuvamkunnu, Kerala , India ) is bishop emeritus of the Syro-Malabar diocese ( eparchy ) of Kothamangalam .

Live and act

George Punnakottil was born in Thazhuvamkunnu, a parish in what was then the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam . He graduated from Infant Jesus High School Vazhakulam in 1953 and then entered the Kothamangalam Seminary . On June 29, 1956, Pope Pius XII separated. the eastern part of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam from this and formed the new diocese Kothamangalam , which also included the home town of the bishop. Punnakottil studied Mangalapuzha philosophy in St. Joseph's seminary, and completed his theological studies at the Gregorian in Rome.

On October 18, 1961, he was ordained a priest in Rome . The clergyman took up his first position as a chaplain (Assistant Parish Priest) at the Cathedral Parish of St. George in Kothamangalam. In 1968 he was appointed as a teacher (professor) for Biblical Theology at St. Thomas Seminary in Vadavathoor. In 1976, Punnakottil received a Masters Degree in Political Science ( International Relations ) from Vanderbilt University in Nashville , Tennessee .

On February 26, 1977, George Punnakottil became bishop of his home diocese of Kothamangalam. He received his episcopal ordination on April 24, 1977, the Archbishop of Ernakulam , Cardinal Joseph Parecattil ; Co- consecrators were his predecessor Matthew Pothanamuzhi and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Pallikaparampil from Palai .

Punnakottil published two books on biblical theology and became known in India as the defender of the traditional liturgy of his Syro-Malabar rite. In contrast to Joseph Parecattil, he rejects celebrations directed towards the people, as well as Europeanization or inculturation of his rite, which has developed there since apostolic times and has manifested itself in this form. This movement in the Syro-Malabar Church was strongly supported by Rome and has meanwhile been able to prevail. Bishop Punnakottil contributed significantly to this development.

Since March 4, 2010, George Punnakottil was also vice chairman of the Indian Bishops' Conference . With effect from January 10, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI. his age-related resignation and confirmed the choice of his successor George Madathikandathil .

Web links

Commons : George Punnakottil  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ to town and parish Thazhuvamkunnu
  2. ↑ On the establishment of the diocese of Kothamangalam
  3. ↑ St. Joseph's Seminary Mangalapuzha ( Memento from August 1, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
  4. ↑ St. George, Kothamangalam Cathedral Parish ( Memento from July 4, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
  5. ^ St. Thomas Seminary Vadavathoor
  6. ↑ Interview with Bishop George Punnakottil in the Deutsche Tagespost Würzburg - see entry from July 30, 2010 ( Memento from August 18, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
  7. ↑ Announcement about the election as vice-chairman of the Indian Bishops' Conference ( Memento from April 16, 2013 in the web archive archive.today )
predecessor Office successor
Matthew Pothanamuzhi Bishop of Kothamangalam
1977-2013 		George Madathikandathil
personal data
SURNAME Punnakottil, George
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian diocesan bishop
DATE OF BIRTH September 13, 1936
PLACE OF BIRTH Thazhuvamkunnu , Kerala , India