Archbishop Thoomkuzhy laid to rest among his spiritual daughters
George Kommattam - September 2025
Thousands of faithful, priests, and nuns on September 22 bid farewell to Archbishop Emeritus Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Trichur.
The 94-year-old archbishop was laid to rest in the main chapel of the congregation he founded – the Society of Kristu Dasis – at Kottoooli in Kozhikode, Kerala.
Also present were the members of the “home of love,” a center for destitute attached to the generalate.
“It was his wish to be buried in the chapel of the generalate and always with us, his daughters” said Sister Doncy Kumbiniyil, a member of the congregation.
The prelate’s choice of being buried among his spiritual daughters rather than at the Trichur Archbishop’s residence, reflected his lifelong devotion to the Kristu Dasis nuns and the mission he envisioned for them, she added.
Archbishops Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry, Andrews Thazhath of Trichur and Varghese Chkkalakkal of Calicut, Bishops Remigiose Inchananiyil of Thamarassery, Jose Porunnedam of Mananthavady, Bosco Puthur, Tony Neelankavil, and Alex Tharamangalam joined the final funeral ceremony.
The burial marked the culmination of a two-day funeral observance that began in Thrissur and traced the revered prelate’s journey across the northern districts of Kerala, allowing communities to pay tribute.
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy died on September 17 at Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur.
His mortal remains were transported in a solemn procession through Thrissur and Kozhikode, with public homage held at major churches including the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Lourdes Cathedral, and St. Joseph’s Church, Devagiri.
At every stop, thousands gathered to pay their respects, reflecting people’s deep affection and reverence for the archbishop.
The Trichur archdiocese encouraged mourners to bring cloths and saris instead of floral wreaths, continuing a tradition that mirrored Archbishop Thoomkuzhy’s lifelong concern for the underprivileged.
As prayers and hymns filled the chapel, Sister Rina Kunnel, superior general of the Kristudasis, said, “He gave us life, he gave us a mission, and now he rests among us.”
Born on December 13, 1930, at Vilakkumadam near Palai in Kottayam district, Jacob Thoomkuzhy was the fourth of twelve children in a farming family. His family later migrated to Thiruvampady in Kozhikode district.
In 1947, he joined the minor seminary at Changanacherry and later studied philosophy at the major seminary in Alwaye.
He then travelled to Rome to study theology, where he was ordained a priest on December 22, 1956. He then earned a doctorate in Canon Law. Upon returning to Kerala, he served as secretary to Bishop Sebastian Valloppilly of Tellicherry and as chancellor, assisting in several parishes and the formation of seminarians.
In 1973, with the creation of the Diocese of Mananthavady, he became its first bishop, tasked with serving a population that included a significant tribal community, forming nearly one-fifth of Wayanad’s residents.
Recognizing the need for holistic development, he initiated the Tribal Community Development Project, aimed at improving education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for indigenous people. He also identified the need for a congregation of dedicated women who would serve directly in parish communities, leading to the founding of the Society of Kristudasis in 1977.
Starting with eighteen candidates, the congregation now has over 300 sisters serving in seventy-six convents across eighteen dioceses, both in India and abroad, continuing his vision of grassroots pastoral and social service.
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy was later appointed the second bishop of Thamarassery in 1986 and then as the Archbishop of Thrissur in 1997, a post he held for ten years until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure, he founded Marymatha Major Seminary in Mulayam, Jubilee Mission Medical College, and Jyothi Engineering College, Cheruthuruthy, besides organizing the CBCI biennial general body meeting in 2004.
He also launched Jeevan TV in 2002, a Malayalam-language news and entertainment channel, reflecting his understanding of modern communication and outreach.
Affectionately called “the travelling father,” Archbishop Thoomkuzhy was known for his tireless pastoral visits, often personally driving himself to remote mission stations. He reached distant parishes and tribal communities with a personal touch, demonstrating his belief that leadership in the Church was rooted in service rather than authority.
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy’s influence extended far beyond ecclesiastical leadership. His initiatives in education, healthcare, media, and social development transformed communities and empowered the marginalized.
From the tribal villages of Wayanad to the seminaries, institutions, and convents he established in Thrissur and beyond, his legacy touches thousands.
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