Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Metropolitan Archbishop Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam (75) of Trivandrum Latin Archdiocese on February 2.
Archbishop Pakiam was born on 11 March 1946 at Marthandumthurai, Tamilnadu and ordained a priest on December 20 1969. At 43, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Trivandrum Diocese and ordained Bishop on February 2, 1990.
He was succeeded Bishop of Trivandrum on January 31, 1991, at the age of 44. When the Trivandrum diocese was elevated as the Archdiocese on June 17, 2004, he became the first Metropolitan Archbishop and was installed as the Archbishop of Trivandrum on August 23, 2004.
He served the Kerala Regional Church in the following capacities: President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) from 2017 to 2020 and the President of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRLCBC) from 2009 to 2019. He was the Chairman for Catechetical Commission of KCBC (1995-1998); Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of KRLCBC (1997-2003); Member, Seminary Commission of KCBC (1990-1997); Chairman, Commission for Anti-Alcoholism of KCBC (1998-2005), Chairman, Jubilee 2000 of KCBC (1999-2000); Vice President of KRLCBC (2002-2007) and Chairman of Laity Commission in KRLCBC (2002-2009).
He also served the national Church in various capacities. He was the Chairman of the Laity Commission of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) from 2002 to 2004; Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of Catholic Conference Bishop of India (CCBI) from 1997 to 2003. He was a member of the FABC Commission for Laity from 2003 to 2005 and a Member of the International Committee for English Liturgy (ICEL) from 1999 to 2002. He has been a priest for 52 years and a Bishop for 32 years.
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