Kakkanad: The 70th birthday celebrations of Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil were held on April 21, 2026, at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. The celebrations began in the morning with the Holy Qurbana celebrated by His Beatitude along with priests, consecrated persons, and the staff of the Curia. In the evening, a gathering was held to fecilitate the Major Archbishop.
Fr. Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, The Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, cordially welcomed the gathering. Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Mar George Alencherry presented a shawl, and Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath presented a bouquet as a symbol of the honour bestowed by the Church. Awgin Mar Kuriakose of the Chaldean Syrian Church, Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, the Synod Secretary, CMI Prior General Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Catholic Congress Global President Prof. Rajeev Kochuparambil, and Mother Usha SH, Superior General of the Sacred Heart Congregation, spoke offering greetings on behalf of various sections of the Church. Archbishops Mar Thomas Tharayil, Bishops Mar Tony Neelankavil, Mar George Madathikandathil, Rt. Rev. Antony Valunkal, and Yohanon Mar Theodosius. Lay representatives, specially invited guests and Secretaries of the Major Archiepiscopal Commissions also participated in the function. A documentary titled “One Who Touches the Heart Through Words”, based on the life and ministry of Mar Raphael Thattil, was screened during the event. Candles baned a renowned music band composed of youth, graced the occasion with their melodious and spirit awakening songs.
In his reply, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil expressed gratitude for the love, respect, divine blessings, and prayers of the faithful. The Finance Officer of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Fr. Joseph Tholanickal, delivered the vote of thanks.
The Healing Companion of the God Who Walks With Us
In the present time, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil is the great shepherd appointed by God through the structures of the Church to lead the Syro-Malabar Church. Through attitudes of listening, dialogue, and self-effacement, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malabar Church is opening paths of light for the Church and society with a radiance of serenity capable of extinguishing the sparks of unrest and negative thoughts.
The Joy of a Large Family
At a time when a culture is emerging that renders even nuclear families irrelevant and chooses not to have children, Mar Thattil becomes a wonder in that he takes pride and joy in saying that he belongs to a large family. He was born on April 21, 1956, at Thrissur, as the youngest of ten children of Ouseph and Thresia Thattil. It is often humorously recalled by His Beatitude that he was born at the very moment when the fireworks of Thrissur Pooram were bursting.
Although the early death of his father shook the family, the hard work, reliance on God, and foresight of his mother carried the family forward. Therefore, the person who influenced him most in life is his mother. It would not be wrong to believe that his natural tendency to face challenges and confront difficulties comes from what he imbibed from her. The family that his mother held together has now grown abundantly and bears fruit in various fields of society. Today, this family continues to give a message of fraternity and unity centered on Mar Thattil, the youngest member.
A Priest of the Thrissur Diocese
After completing his schooling, he pursued priestly formation at the diocesan minor seminary and St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, and was ordained a priest on December 21, 1980, through the laying on of hands of Mar Joseph Kundukulam. The fields of ministry of Fr. Thattil were diverse. Beginning as assistant priest at St. Thomas Church, Aranattukara, he continued as Father Prefect in the minor seminary before going for higher studies.
After obtaining a doctorate in Canon Law from the Oriental Institute in Rome, Fr. Thattil returned and served in the Archeparchy of Thrissur as Vice Chancellor, Chancellor, Director of Catechism, Vicar General, and Manager of St. Thomas College. However, more than anything else, what gave him profound experience and greatly reshaped his pastoral vision was his long tenure as secretary to Mar Joseph Kundukulam, who was known as the “Father of the Poor.”
New Initiatives in Priestly Formation
When Marymatha Major Seminary at Mulayam was established, it was Fr. Thattil whom Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy chose as its first Rector. Those who received formation under him testify that he was able to understand the pulse of the times and guide priestly formation in a God-centered and relevant manner. The formation program that ensured preparation for pastoral ministry at all practical levels was widely accepted and fruitful.
Auxiliary Bishop
While serving as Vicar General of the Archeparchy of Thrissur, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the archeparchy. “To be broken and shared” was the motto he chose. He received episcopal ordination on April 10, 2010, from Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath. He fulfilled the responsibilities of Auxiliary Bishop through his characteristic pastoral style in the administration of the archeparchy. His leadership, marked by collaboration with priests, consecrated persons, and the laity, was noteworthy. He showed great attention in resolving issues and in listening to everyone.
During his tenure as Manager of St. Thomas College, his far-sighted decisions, courageous positions, and deep personal relationship with teachers and students inspired the naming of a newly discovered plant species by the Botany Department in his honor as Ophioglossum raphaelianum.
Apostolic Visitor
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Mar Thattil as Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malabar faithful living in regions outside the jurisdiction of any Syro-Malabar eparchy in India. Those were years of tireless labor day and night. As a missionary, he traveled throughout India to establish the necessary pastoral structures for the faithful entrusted to him. He became convinced that the missionary approach of the Syro-Malabar Church needed to change.
He was able to submit detailed reports to the Holy Father. As a result of this great effort, through the letter dated October 9, 2017, addressed to all the bishops of India, the Holy Father granted the Syro-Malabar Church pastoral jurisdiction over the whole of India, establishing new eparchies such as Shamshabad and Hosur and redefining the boundaries of Thuckalay and Ramanathapuram. In that letter, the Holy Father himself noted that the detailed reports submitted by Mar Thattil contributed to this decision.
Missionary Bishop of Shamshabad
On January 7, 2018, Mar Thattil assumed office as the first Bishop of the Eparchy of Shamshabad, established on October 9, 2017. With missionary zeal, he gave form to what had no form and built up the eparchy. It was his vision and practical wisdom that shaped the eparchy into what it is today.
He was able to organize the pastoral structures of the vast eparchy, spread across 23 states and three union territories, with the cooperation of other eparchies and religious congregations. For more effective pastoral care, he also presented to the Synod a plan to share parts of this extensive territory with nearby Syro-Malabar eparchies.
The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church
Following the retirement of George Alencherry on December 7, 2023, the first session of the 32nd Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, held in January 2024, elected Mar Raphael Thattil, then Bishop of Shamshabad, as the fourth Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. With the approval of the Holy Father, his enthronement took place on January 11 at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia in Kakkanad.
The providence of God, which surpasses human expectations, became visible in the leadership ministry of the new Major Archbishop. He assumed leadership at a time when the Church was passing through complex situations. The two years and two months since his election have been very crucial in the history of the Syro-Malabar Church.
The conditions were created to complete the restructuring of diocesan boundaries that he had proposed earlier. By modifying the boundaries of twelve eparchies, incorporating parts of the vast Shamshabad eparchy, decrees were issued. Outside Kerala, metropolitan provinces such as Faridabad, Ujjain, Kalyan, and Shamshabad were established, and metropolitans were appointed.
At a time when waves of disunity were increasing, he took courageous steps aimed at fostering unity in the Church. Continuing the efforts begun by his predecessors, he made possible the appointment of an Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malabar faithful in the Gulf region. He also completed the timely renewal of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia.
Within a short span, he visited all the eparchies, conducted apostolic visitations in Europe, and visited the Gulf countries. He also initiated steps to establish a new lay movement called Jeevan Jyothi to coordinate the missionary activities of the laity.
Perhaps the full significance of the contributions he has made in this short period and their positive impact on the life of the Church may not be fully understood in the present complexities. However, it is certain that how he responded to the challenges of this time with the integrity of his approach will be remembered with gratitude in the history of the Church.
A Strong Inner Person
Mar Thattil is a person of strong interior depth. Only one who is inwardly strong can appear outwardly calm. The smile and serenity seen on his face are signs of his inner strength and dignity. Those who perceive everything with purity do not lose self-control even amid insecurity and unrest.
That is why he is able to smile in every situation and never loses that smile in any circumstance. The words that flow from his heart are the fruit of this inner joy. Harsh expressions or complicated ideas do not find a place in his writings, speeches, or conversations. The innocence and simplicity gained from his upbringing and life journey remain evident in him.
True to the meaning of the name “Raphael,” he is able to walk with others as God’s healer, leading those who approach him into an experience of divine healing.
Felicitations
God’s choices are always astonishing. From the very beginning of the Church, we see the “mystery” of Christ choosing ordinary people, anointing them, and making them sharers in His great mission. Even today, Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, is part of that continuing divine mystery.
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). As we journey through the seventy years of His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, this truth becomes evident.
May the merciful God continue to fill with His goodness this great shepherd whom He has chosen to lead the Syro-Malabar Church.
