Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST

Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST, the first bishop of the Diocese of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, was born on 23rd February 1932 at Vaikom in Kerala to Mr Kurian and Mrs Mariam Kokkat. At his baptism he received the name ‘Joseph’ as his Christian name. After his matriculation studies, responding to the call of the Lord, Joseph joined the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers) at Mookkannoor. Joseph became a professed member of the congregation on 18th May, 1953 and took the name, Dominic.

Bro. Dominic had his philosophical studies and theological formation at Papal Seminary, Kandy (Sri Lanka) and Pune respectively. He was ordained a priest on 4th October, 1960 at Pune. Fr Dominic served the Little Flower Congregation and the Church in India in various capacities: Professor of Philosophy at Little Flower Institute, Aluva & Vocation Promoter (1961-1967), Principal & Director, Industrial Training Institute, Aluva (1967-1970), Vice Rector, Little Flower Seminary, Aluva (1970-1972), Rector, Study House, Trikkakara, (1972-1973), Mission Superior, Little Flower Mission, Punjab (1973-1978), Assistant Secretary, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), New Delhi (1978-1982), and Assistant Superior General and Mission Secretary, Little Flower Congregation (1982-1984). He holds a diploma in Social Development from Coady International Institute, University of Antigonish, Canada (1976-1977).

While serving in the Punjab Mission of the Little Flower Congregation, Fr Dominic was appointed the first bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Gorakhpur. On October 4, 1984 Fr Dominic was ordained Bishop at Ernakulam and was installed Bishop of Gorakhpur on October 14, 1984 in Gorakhpur. Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST took ‘God is my light and my salvation’ as the moto of his episcopal ministry.

The deep concern of Bp Dominic for the poor and the marginalized has been a guiding factor for him to begin various apostolates in the diocese. Bp Dominic, the founder of many of the leading educational, developmental and charitable institutions in Purvanchal, envisioned the development of the people of every stratum of the society, very specially the women in this part of the country.

Bp Dominic, an ardent devotee of St Therese of Child Jesus (Little Flower) and having been impressed by the thrust of his congregation, founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St Therese (LST) in 1988. Bp Dominic, as the first Bishop of Gorakhpur had a respectful place in the hearts of the people of Gorakhpur. He was a significant member of the Citizens’ Forum and the Executive Council of Deen Dayal University, Gorakhpur (1985-1988).

In 2006, Bp Dominic after serving the Diocese of Gorakhpur for more than two decades retired and was residing in the Fatima Hospital premises till date. Though retired from the shepherding ministry of the diocese, Bishop Dominic bore witness to his love for the diocese with his presence at every common function with his positive participation.

Bishop Dominic was admitted to the diocesan hospital, Fatima on 14th December 2025 due to complaints of fever, cough, breathing difficulty and loose motion. Detailed medical evaluation revealed a severe infection involving the lungs (Pneumonia) with associated fluid around the lungs along with effects on the heart and kidney functions. His health condition kept deteriorating and was under the Intensive Care treatment for about three weeks.

Seeing the deteriorating health conditions of Bp Dominic, and after discussing with his doctors, he was administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on Sunday 21st December by Bishop Thomas Thuruthimattam. After a month’s hospitalization Most Rev. Dominic Kokkat CST, the first bishop of Gorakhpur was called for his eternal rest on 25th January, 2026 at 10.58 am. He was laid to rest in the presence of Major Archbishop Raphael, Archbishops, bishops, priests, religious and thousands of lay faithful in St Joseph’s Cathedral Campus on 27th January.