Thrissur:  Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy of the Syro-Malabar Church passed away on 17 September 2025 at 2:50 p.m. at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur. He was 94 and had been under treatment for age-related ailments. His death marks the end of an era for the Church in Kerala, particularly the Malabar region, where his pastoral and administrative leadership left a lasting legacy.

Born in 1930 in Malabar, Thoomkuzhy was ordained a priest in 1959 and went on to become the first Bishop of Mananthavady in 1973. Later, he served as the Bishop of Thamarassery before being appointed Archbishop of Thrissur in 1995, a position he held until his retirement in 2007. His tenure witnessed significant growth in pastoral outreach, educational institutions, and seminary formation. He was also the founder of the Society of Kristhu Dasi (SKD), an institution dedicated to service and spiritual life.

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil paid tribute to Thoomkuzhy, describing him as a man who always saw goodness in others and inspired confidence in those he worked with. He recalled the Archbishop’s contributions to the dioceses of Mananthavady and Thamarassery, noting how he supported migrant communities and gave special importance to priestly formation, especially at Marymatha Major Seminary. Thattil highlighted Thoomkuzhy’s humility, his ability to trust collaborators, and his enduring presence even after retirement, where he continued to guide and meet people with pastoral care.

Church leaders and the faithful remember him as a shepherd who combined deep spirituality with simplicity and vision. His contributions in building institutions of education, healthcare, and social service are widely acknowledged across Kerala. Funeral arrangements are underway, and the faithful are expected to gather in large numbers to pay their final respects to a leader who guided the Syro-Malabar Church for decades.