Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara

Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara was born on 1st February, 1959 as the fourth son of Alia and Antony Bharanikulangara at the St. Augustine’s Parish Karippassery (Moozhikkulam Forane). He completed his primary and high school studies at the Government Lower Primary School (Vattaparambu), at the St. Mary’s Upper Primary School (Moozhikkulam) and at the Government High School (Puliyanam). He did his Seminary studies at the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Trikkakara (1973-1976); Philosophy at the St. Joseph’s, Carmelgiri (1976-1979) and Theology at the St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva (1979-1983). He was ordained priest on 18th December, 1983 (by Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikkary).

He did his university studies in Malayalam language and literature from Kerala University (1984-1988) and P. G. Diploma in Journalism and Communication from Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan. He holds Licentiate in Latin Canon Law from Pontifical Lateran University, Rome (1989-90); Licentiate in Oriental Canon Law from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (1990-1991) and a Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, with research work on “Particular Law of a sui iuris Church: a Blueprint for the Syro-Malabar Church” (1992-1994). He had his Post-Doctoral Studies in Jurisprudence from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1994).

As a priest he served as Assistant at the St. Mary’s Forane Church, Tripunithura (1983-1988); as Acting Parish Priest at the St. George’s Church, Thiruvankulam and at the St. Mary’s Church Vimalagiri, Malayatoor (1988).Archbishop Kuriakose also has specialization and Diplomas in Religious Studies from the Congregation for Religious Life (1990); in Sacraments – Ratum et non consummatum, from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments (1992) and in Canonization: from the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints (1993). He had his Diplomatic Training from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.He was also involved in the beatification process of Servant of Mariam Thresia, which was successfully completed together with Rev. Fr. George Nedungatt SJ, as Assistant Vice-Postulator in cause of Bl. Mariam Thresia (1995).

Archbishop Kuriakose was selected as secretarial staff of the Synod for the Synod of Bishops on Religious life (1994) and on Africa (1995). In the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church held in Rome (1992) he served as a local contact person and facilitator. He was ordained bishop on 26 May 2012.