Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy passes away at 94

Archbishop Emeritus of Thrissur archdiocese Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, a towering spiritual leader of Syro-Malabar Church, passed away on Wednesday. He was 94. Mar Thoomkuzhy served as the first bishop of the Mananthavady diocese, the second bishop of the Thamarassery diocese, and later as the archbishop of Thrissur.

A visionary who could sense the pulse of the times and translate it into action, Mar Thoomkuzhy’s life spanned decades of tireless pastoral service, institution building, and social empowerment — especially among the struggling migrant Christian communities of the Malabar region.

Born as Chacko on December 13, 1930, at Vilakkumadam in the Pala diocese to Kurian and Rosa Thoomkuzhy, he joined the seminary for priestly formation. He was sent to Rome for higher studies and ordained a priest there on December 22, 1956. After ordination, he completed a doctorate in Canon Law and returned to serve as the chancellor of the Thalassery diocese.

Hands-on leadership

When the Mananthavady diocese was carved out on May 1, 1973, Mar Thoomkuzhy was ordained its first bishop. Known for his humility and hands-on leadership, he laid the spiritual and structural foundations of the diocese, ministering to the migrant faithful who had braved forests, wild animals, and poverty to settle in the region.

He played a pivotal role in Wayanad’s development, launching several self-reliance initiatives for the migrant communities. He founded the Congregation of the Christudasi Sisters in 1977. Today, the order has missions across Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, north India, and overseas.

Legacy of compassion

Later, he became the bishop of Thamarassery and later the archbishop of Thrissur. Under his stewardship, priestly formation was modernised and made more human-centric. The Mary Matha Major Seminary at Mulayam in Thrissur stands as a testament to his vision. He retired from active ministry on January 22, 2007, and celebrated the golden jubilee of his episcopal ordination in May 2023.

Even in retirement, Mar Thoomkuzhy lived a life of quiet service and love. He was known for his rare ability to see and nurture the good in everyone he met. Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy leaves behind a legacy of compassion, pastoral zeal, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel. His funeral rituals will begin on Sunday, according to archdiocese sources.