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Archbishop
Mar George Valiamattam was born on 16th September
1938 at Punnathara in the Archdiocese of Changanassery
as the eldest son of Thomas and Annamma Valiamattam.
Later, his family migrated to Kodancherry in Calicut
District. He had his school education at Nariveli
and Punnathara. After his minor seminary formation
in st. Mary's Thop Minor seminary, Thrissur, he joined
Carmelgiri seminary, Aluva for Philosophical studies.
His theological studies were done at the Urban University,
Rome. He was ordained priest by Mar Sebastian Valloppilly
on 30th November 1963 in Rome. After his ordination
he obtained his doctoral degree in theology from the
Gregorian University, Rome in 1967.
He
served the diocese as assistant vicar of St. Mary's
Church, Kodancherry, Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Thalanji,
and Secretary to the Bishop, Chancellor of the diocese,
Diocesan Director of Catechism and Mission League
and as Rector of the Minor Seminary. He served in
the diocese of Thamarassery in the capacity of chancellor,
secretary and Director of Catechism. When nominated
the second Bishop of Tellicherry, he was the Forane
Vicar at St. Thomas Forane Church, Shirady.
He
was consecrated Bishop at St. Joseph's Cathedral Tellicherry
by His Eminence Antony Cardinal Padiyara, assisted
by Mar Joseph Powathil, Archbishop of Changanassery
and Mar Sebastian Valloppilly, on May 1st, 1989 and
assumed office on the same day.
When
the diocese of Tellicherry was raised to the status
of Metropolitan Archdiocese, he was promoted and appointed
as its first Metropolitan Archbishop on 18th May,
1995. He was enthroned as the Archbishop on July 24th
1995, at a solemn ceremony in St. Joseph's Cathedral
presided over by the Major Archbishop His Eminence
Antony Cardinal Padiyara.
At
present, he serves also as the member of the standing
committee of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India
(CBCI). He is a member of the Permanent Synod of the
Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church and of many
other synodal commissions. He is also the Chairman
of the synodal commission for the Good Shepherd Major
Seminary, Kunnoth, Keala, India.
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