Kuriakose Kunnacherry | |
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Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Archeparchy of Kottayam | |
Archdiocese | Syro Malabar Archeparchy of Kottayam |
Appointed | 24 February 1968 |
Installed | 19 May 1974 |
Term ended | 19 January 2006 |
Predecessor | Mar Thomas Tharayil |
Successor | Mar Mathew Moolakkatt |
Orders | |
Ordination | 21 December 1955 by Clement Cardinal Miccara in Rome |
Consecration | 24 February 1968 by Maximillian Cardinal de Furstenberg at S.H. Mount. Kottayam |
Personal details | |
Born | |
Died | 14 June 2017 Thellakom Kottayam, India | (aged 88)
Nationality | Indian |
Alma mater | Potinfical Seminary, Alwaye |
Kuriakose Kunnassery (11 September 1928 – 14 June 2017) was a Syro-Malabar Catholic hierarch. He was the fourth bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam and the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. He served as priest in the Diocese of Kottayam for 13 years from December 21, 1955 to February 24, 1968. Then he was bishop for 49 years from February 24, 1968 to June 14, 2017. Kunnacherry was head of the Diocese of Kottayam for 31 years from May 5, 1974 to December 19, 2005. He was elevated as Archbishop on May 19, 2005.
As a bishop and Archbishop of Kottayam, Kunnacherry took initiative to establish many churches, charitable, and welfare institutions in various parts of Kerala. He also took initiative in establishing missions in various parts of the world for the Knanaya migrants. Kunnacherry served the Catholic church in various capacities and also was a leader of ecumenical movement in Kerala.