Bangalore 6 September, 2020 (CCBI): Most Rev. Mar Paul Chittilapilly (86) Bishop Emeritus of Thamarasserry Syro Malabar diocese passed away on Sunday 6 September, 2020 at 6.45pm at Nirmala hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala. The funeral will be held on Tuesday 8 September, 2020 at 11am Mary Matha Cathedral, Thamarasserry.
He was the first Bishop of Kalyan (1988-1996) the Syro Malabar diocese in Mumbai and the third Bishop of Thamarasserry (1996-2010). He was the Chairman of the Family Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC)
Bishop Paul Chittilapilly was born at Mattom, Trichur district, Kerala on the 7 February 1934 . He did his priestly studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva and the Propaganda Fide College, Rome. On the 18 October 1961 he was ordained priest at Rome by the late Archbishop of Changanassery Mar Mathew Kavukatt. He took Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. After his return to India in 1966, he was appointed assistant Vicar at Aloor, the professor at St. Thomas’ Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Trichur and Manager of St. Thomas College, Trichur.
In the Year 1978, he was appointed Vicar General of Archdiocese of Trichur. On the 12 May 1987 he had been deputed to lead a team of priests who were sent to take up and organize the pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Mumbai.
He was nominated the first Bishop of the newly erected diocese of Kalyan by Pope St. John Paul II on 30 April 1988. He was ordained Bishop at Mattunga, Mumbai on the 24 August 1988 by His Eminence Mar Antony Cardinal Padiyara. He became the third Bishop of Thamarasserry on 11 November, 1996. At the age of 75 was retired from the active Episcopal ministry on 8 April 2010. He is a Bishop for 32 years and a priest for 58 years.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI