Joseph Kariyil (born 11 January 1949) is an Indian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who was bishop of Cochin from 2009 to 2024.
Biography
Joseph Kariyil was born on 11 January 1949 in Arthunkal, near Alleppey. He was ordained a priest on 19 December 1973 by Bishop Alexander Edezhath at Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Fort Cochin. He was appointed as the Bishop of Punalur on 12 March 2005 and was consecrated on 3 May 2005. He was appointed Bishop of Cochin on 8 May 2009. He was installed in as the Bishop of Cochin on 5 July 2009. His role as the bishop of Cochin made great developments in the diocese, when he installed as the bishop of Cochin, there were 38 parishes and now there are 51 parishes in the diocese.
On 2 March 2024, Pope Francis officially accepted bp Joseph Kariyil's resignation due to retirement age of 75 according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.[1][2][3]
He studied at Alphonciano Academy, Rome, Italy. He served the Church in the capacities of an assistant Vicar, Vicar and the editor of Talent Magazine. He also served as the Director of Pastoral Orientation Centre and as the Vicar General of Cochin diocese.
Offices held
| Sl. No | Field of Activity | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Vicar at St. Louis Church, Mundamveli | 1974-1977 |
| 2 | Assistant Vicar at Santa Curz Basilica, Fortcochin | 1977-1978 |
| 3 | Higher Studies - Saint Alphonsian's Academy, Rome | 1978-1983 |
| 4 | Parish Priest at St. Augustine's Church, Aroor | 1983-1987 |
| 5 | Editor of Talanth Magazine, POC | 1987-1992 |
| 6 | Director of P. O. C. & Deputy Secretary General of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council | 1992-2000 |
| 7 | Vicar General, Diocese of Cochin | 2000-2005 |
| 8 | Bishop of Punalur, Roman Catholic Diocese of Punalur | 2005-2009 |
| 9 | Installed as Bishop of Cochin Roman Catholic Diocese of Cochin | 5 July 2009 |
| 10 | Secretary General, KCBC[4] | 2013-2016 |
| 11 | Chairman, Commission for Catechetics, KRLCBC[5] | Till 2024 |
| 12 | President, KRLCC - Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council and KRLCBC | 2020-2023 |
| 13 | Chairman, Jagratha Commission, KCBC[6] | 2019-2024 |
| 14 | Member, Episcopal Commission for Seminary (St Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri) KRLCBC[7] | 2023-2024 |
Arms
| Notes The coat of arms was adopted when he was appointed as the Bishop of Cochin. Adopted 05 July 2009 Escutcheon Coonan Cross Mattancherry, Our Lady of Perpectual help,Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi, crozier Motto "The Lord is my Shepherd" Symbolism Coonan Cross: symbolises historical Coonan Cross Oath of 1653 at Mattancherry; Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica: The historic Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica his Cathedral Church; Our Lady of Perpetual help: Special devotion to Mother Mary.; crozier: stands for his authority as the Shepherd of the flock |