Kochi: The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy at the age of 94 marks the end of an era in the Syro-Malabar Church. His life story stretching from a modest childhood in Vilakkumadam, Pala, to his leadership as Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur is not only a tale of clerical achievements but also a profound testimony to how one man’s faith and vision transformed countless lives.
Born on December 13, 1930, to Kurian and Rosa, young Chacko later known as Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy grew up in an ordinary agrarian household. His family lived in the rustic beauty of Vilakkumadam, where simplicity, hard work, and devotion to faith shaped his character from the very beginning. Neighbors recall him as a quiet and thoughtful child, often found absorbed in prayer or reading, qualities that hinted at his future vocation.
Even in his early years, the young boy carried a deep sensitivity to the struggles of others, especially the poor around him. That compassion became the foundation of his later ministry, where service to humanity was never separate from his devotion to God.
Chacko’s decision to join the seminary was met with pride by his family, who saw in him the continuation of a tradition of faith that had guided generations of Kerala Catholics. His years of theological formation coincided with the establishment of the Diocese of Thalassery, which was created to care for migrant Syro-Malabar Catholics in the Malabar region. This development gave his vocation a missionary orientation one that would remain throughout his ministry.
His intellectual brilliance and pastoral heart soon attracted the attention of Bishop Sebastian Valloppilly of Thalassery, who recognized in him both a sharp mind and a compassionate soul. It was Valloppilly who encouraged him to pursue further studies in Rome, setting him on an international path of formation.
On December 22, 1956, in Rome, Chacko was ordained a priest, marking the beginning of a ministry that would span nearly seven decades. He remained in the Eternal City for four more years, completing a doctorate in Canon Law—a discipline that sharpened his sense of justice and equipped him for leadership roles in the Church.
The years in Rome not only enriched his academic credentials but also exposed him to the universal dimension of the Catholic Church. His exposure to the global Church shaped his ability to combine local pastoral concerns with a wider vision of ecclesial life.
Returning to Kerala, Fr. Thoomkuzhy was entrusted with responsibilities that showcased his administrative skill and pastoral zeal. He became Secretary to Bishop Valloppilly and later served as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thalassery. Despite these demanding posts, he never lost his pastoral touch, serving simultaneously as parish priest of Kunduthode, where his simplicity and closeness to the people won their hearts.
These early assignments laid the groundwork for the man he would become: a leader who combined intellectual rigor, administrative clarity, and deep compassion for the faithful.
The real turning point came on May 1, 1973, when Fr. Thoomkuzhy was ordained as the first Bishop of Mananthavady. The region was home to thousands of migrant Catholic families who had left Central Kerala in search of land and livelihood. Facing poverty, disease, and isolation, they were in desperate need of pastoral care. Bishop Thoomkuzhy became their father and friend, walking with them in their struggles and ensuring that their faith took root in the new soil of Wayanad and Malabar.
Under his guidance, parishes flourished, schools were founded, and social programs were initiated to empower migrants. His pastoral care laid the foundation for the Diocese of Mananthavady, which remains one of the vibrant centers of the Syro-Malabar Church today.
Later transferred to Thamarassery and finally to Thrissur, Bishop Thoomkuzhy’s leadership expanded beyond pastoral care to institution building. In Thrissur, he envisioned and established transformative institutions such as Mary Matha Major Seminary, Jubilee Mission Medical College, and Jyothi Engineering College. These institutions embodied his conviction that the Church must serve society not only through sacraments but also through education, healthcare, and social development.
His leadership in Thrissur also saw the strengthening of spiritual movements and faith renewal programs, including the revival of the historic Palayoor pilgrimage.
Even after his retirement in 2007, Archbishop Thoomkuzhy remained a humble servant of the Church. He avoided public attention, preferring a quiet life of prayer and reflection, but continued to inspire through his gentle presence. Those who met him recall a bishop who always looked for the goodness in others, affirming their dignity and encouraging them to grow.
Today, as the Church in Kerala and across the world mourns his passing, the journey of Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy is remembered not merely in terms of titles and positions but as a living witness to the Gospel. From a small village boy in Pala to one of the most respected leaders of the Syro-Malabar Church, his life is a reminder that true greatness lies in humble service and steadfast faith.
His journey from Vilakkumadam to Thrissur was not just geographical it was spiritual, pastoral, and transformative, leaving behind an indelible legacy for generations to come.