Rev. Dr. John Kochuthundil is appointed the Rector of the Malankara Major Seminary

Trivandrum: Major Archbishop Moran Mor Baselios Clemis Catholicos appointed Rev Dr. John Kochuthundil of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, the new rector of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum. At present he serves as the Chancellor of the Major Archieparchy and the Vice-chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and also the Rector of St.Mary’s Baselica, Palayam.

Fr. John joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Pattom and completed his priestly training in the Pontifical Seminary, Alwye. He was ordained a priest on 22 December 1985. He started his priestly career as Secretary to Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios till 1992. He had secured a Master’s Degree in Malayalam Literature from University of Kerala and Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Oriental Institute, Rome. He had served as judge in the Archdiocesean Court of New York, USA for 2 years. Then he was appointed as the Rector of St Aloysius Minor Seminary, Pattom. He served in the post till 2006. He also served as the vicar of several parishes in and around Trivandrum. He has authored several articles and books on Canon Law. He is the general Co-ordinator of the Drafting Committee for Particular Law of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. Being a lyricist, he wrote many famous Christian devotional songs in which, “Snehaswaroopa thavadharshanam” and “Nayaka jeeva dhayaka” are very popular.

The new appointment is done when the present Rector Rt. Rev. Thomas Thannikkakuzhy completed his tenure.