“The Episcopal Ministry of Bishop Chakkalakal is an Exemplary Model”: Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis

Calicut 9 February 2024: Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church and President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), lauded Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal's Episcopal Ministry as a shining example of dedication, compassion, and transformative leadership. Speaking during the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist commemorating Bishop Chakkalakal's twenty-fifth year of episcopal ordination on February 8 at the Mother of God Cathedral in Calicut, Cardinal Cleemis expressed widespread admiration and commendation for Bishop Chakkalakal.

The episcopal silver jubilee celebration drew the attendance of Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal George Alencherry, Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly, Archbishop Thomas J. Netto of Trivandrum, Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolaktt of Kottayam, Archbishop Thomas Koorilos of Thiruvalla, and more than twenty other bishops from Kerala. Hundreds of priests, religious sisters, and thousands of lay faithful also participated in the ceremonies.

Bp. Varghese Chakkalakal is currently Bishop of Calicut, President KRLCBC, and Chairman CCBI Commission for VSCR, Chairman KCBC Charismatic Commission and Chairman, Episcopal Commission for St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.

On 5 November 1998 he was appointed the first Bishop of Kannur at the age of 45 and ordained Bishop on 7 February 1999. He is appointed Bishop of Calicut on 15 May 2012 and installed on 10 June 2012. He was the Secretary General of the CCBI (2011-2017); Secretary General of the KCBC (2004-2007).

Dr. Stephen Alathara