Soosa Pakiam Explained

Type:Archbishop
Honorific-Prefix:His Grace
Archbishop Emeritus Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam
Archbishop Emeritus of Trivandrum
Archdiocese:Trivandrum
Province:Thiruvananthapuram
See:Trivandrum
Appointed:-->
Predecessor:Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Acharuparambil OFM Cap
Successor:Most Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Netto
Other Post:President of Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (2016-2019)
Ordination:20/12/1969
Consecration:02/02/1990
Consecrated By:Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikal
Birth Date:11 March 1946
Birth Place:Marthandanthurai
Tomb:-->
Nationality:Indian
Residence:St. Vincent's Seminary, Karamoodu, Mangalapuram, Trivandrum
Partner:-->
Previous Post:-->
Dipstyle:His Grace
Archbishop Name:Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam
Deathstyle:None
Relstyle:Archbishop Emeritus
Offstyle:Your Grace

Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam (born 11 March 1946) is the Archbishop Emeritus of the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Trivandrum.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Biography

Born in Neerodi village of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, Maria Calista Soosa Pakiam alias M. Soosa Pakiam was ordained as a Priest on 20 December 1969 at the age of 23. Pope John Paul II named him coadjutor bishop of Thiruvananthapuram in December 1989.

He was consecrated as a bishop on 2 February 1990 and took over from Emeritus bishop Rev. Dr. Jacob Acharuparambil as Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram in January 1991. He became the first metropolitan Archbishop of newly erected Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese On 23 June 2004.

Soosa Pakiam has headed the KCBC and Kerala region Latin catholic bishop council.

On 22 February 2021, Soosa Pakiam unofficially retired due to ailing health and Auxiliary Bishop Christudas Rajappan took over his duties.[5] On 2 February 2022, Pope Francis officially accepted Soosa Pakiam's resignation and named Dr. Fr. Thomas J. Netto as the archbishop of Trivandrum.[6]

Course of School studies (where and When)

Lower PrimarySt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1950
Upper PrimarySt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1955
Middle SchoolSt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1955-1958
High SchoolSt.Joseph's H.S., TrivandrumYear1958-1961
Minor SeminarySt.Vincent's Seminary, PalayamYear1958 – 1963
Major Seminary (Philosophy)St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye, Carmelgiri.Year1963 – 1966
Major Seminary (Theology)St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, AlwayeYear1966 – 1970
OrdinationSt.Joseph's Cathedral, Palayam, TvmYear20.12.1969
Higher StudiesLiturgical Institute and Biblical Institute, RomeYear1972 – 1977
DegreesS.Th.L.L.,S.S.L.,RomeYear

Position Held

sl.no.Field of ActivityYear
1Assistant Warden, Catholic Hostel, Palayam1970 April – July
2Vicar Co-operator, Vlathankara16.07.1970 – 24.05.1971
3Prefect, St.Vincent's Seminary, Palayam24.05.1971 – 12.09.1972
4Vicarius Substitutes of the parishes of Poovar,Karinkulam and Kochuthura1972 April – May
5Parish Priest of Thycaud13.11.1977 – 01.05.1979
6Director of Orientation Centre13.11.1977 – 23.06.1978
7Diocesan Director of Communication Media13.11.1977 – 01.05.1979
8Diocesan Director of Biblical Apostolate,Catechism and Sacred Liturgy23.11.1977 – 01.05.1979
9Spiritual Father of St.Vincent's Seminary, Palayam23.06.1978 – 01.05.1979
10Spiritual Father of St.Joseph's Pontificial Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye15.05.1979 – 17.05.1986
11Spiritual Father of St.Joseph's Pontificial Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye15.05.1979 – 17.05.1986
11Professor of Sacred Liturgy and Scripture, St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye01.06.1979 – 17.05.1986
12Rector, St.Vincent's Seminary, Kazhakuttom17.05.1986
13Diocesan Consultor12.01.1988
14Diocesan Director of Priestly Training01.08.1988
15Nominated Co-adjutor bishop of Trivandrum (Latin) by Pope John Paul II02.12.1989
16Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Trivandrum13.01.1990
17Date of Episcopal Ordination (Consecration)02.02.1990
18Appointed Bishop of Trivandrum31.01.1991
19Chairman for Catechetical Commission of (KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference1995 -1998
20Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of (CCBI) Catholic Conference Bishop of India1997 – 2003
21Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of (KRLCBC)Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishop's Conference1997 – 2003
22Member, Seminary Commission of (KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference1990 – 1997
23Chairman, Commission for Anti-Alcoholism of KCBC (Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference)1998 - 2005
24Chairman, Jubilee 2000 of KCBC (Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference)1999 – 2000
25Member in ICEL (International Committee for English Liturgy)1999 – 2002
26Vice President of KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Conference)2002 – 2007
27Chairman of Laity Commission in KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Conference)2002 – 2009
28Chairman of the Laity Commission in CBCI (Catholic Bishops Conference of India)2002 – 2004
29Member of the FABC Commission for Laity2003 -2005
30Appointed first Metropolitan Archbishop to the newly erected Archdiocese of Trivandrum (Latin)17.06.2004
31President of KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Council)2009-2019
32President,(KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference2016 - 2019
33Retired as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum02.02.2022
34Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum02.02.2022-19.03.2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ഡോ.എം.സൂസപാക്യം വിരമിച്ചു; ഡോ.തോമസ് നെറ്റോ ലത്തീന്‍ കത്തോലിക്കാസഭ തിരുവനന്തപുരം രൂപത ആര്‍ച്ച് ബിഷപ്പ്. Mangalam.com. 3 February 2022.
  2. Web site: ഡോ.എം.സൂസപാക്യം വിരമിച്ചു; ഡോ.തോമസ് നെറ്റോ ലത്തീന്‍ കത്തോലിക്കാസഭ തിരുവനന്തപുരം രൂപത ആർച്ച് ബിഷപ്പ്. Mathrubhumi.com. 3 February 2022.
  3. Web site: Soosa Pakiam . Catholic-hierarchy.org . 11 December 2020.
  4. News: soosa pakiam: M Soosa Pakiam steps down, Thiruvananthapuram gets new archbishop | Thiruvananthapuram News a. The Times of India. 3 February 2022.
  5. Web site: ആർച്ച്ബിഷപ്പ് സൂസപാക്യം സ്ഥാനമൊഴിയുന്നു; താൽക്കാലിക ചുമതല ആർ. ക്രിസ്തുദാസിന്. Manoramaonline.com. 3 February 2022.
  6. Web site: സൂസപാക്യം വിരമിച്ചു; തോമസ് ജെ നെറ്റോ തിരുവനന്തപുരം അതിരൂപത ആര്‍ച്ച് ബിഷപ്പ്. 2 February 2022. Veekshanam.com. 3 February 2022.