Cochin 12 January 2016: His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Jose Pulickal as the first auxiliary bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kanjirapally in Kerala. At present, he is Syncellus of the eparchy of Kanjirapally. The Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church assembled at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad from 7th January 2016, elected Rev. Fr. Jose Pulickal as the Auxiliary Bishop.
Rev. Dr. Jose Pulickal was born on 3 March 1964, in the parish of Inchiyani, in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally. He had his primary school education at Holy Family School, Inchiyani, High School studies at CMS, Mundakayam and Pre-Degree studies at St. Dominic’s College, Kanjirapally. Then he joined the minor seminary of the eparchy of Kanjirapally at Podimattam for his priestly formation. After having done the studies of Philosophy and Theology at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, he was ordained Priest by Bishop Mathew Vattakkuzhy on 1 January 1991. Soon after his priestly ordination, he served as Assistant Vicar of St. Dominic’s Cathedral Church, Kanjirapally.
He attained his licentiate and doctorate in Biblical Theology from Dharamaram and St. Peter’s, Bangalore respectively. After he completed his doctoral studies, he was appointed Director of Catechesis and Mission League of the eparchy. After he worked in this capacity for 8 years, he was appointed Forane Vicar of Pathanamthitta and the Vicar General of Kanjirapally, in charge of Ranni-Pathanamthitta Region.