Bishop Paul Mattekatt

Paul Mattekatt was born in Kerala on June 1st and comes from a Syro-Malabar Catholic family. He studied at St. Paul’s Seminary, St. Anthony’s College, and Christ the King College in Shillong. He subsequently completed his period of "regency" in the parishes of Dokmoka and Chokihola, teaching in local parish schools and undertaking pastoral training in the villages. He completed his theological studies at the Papal Seminary in Pune. On December 31, 1988, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Diphu, which had recently been established through the division of the Archdiocese of Shillong-Guwahati. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1989–1991: Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, Japralangso, and Vice-Principal of the local parish school; 1991–1996: Secretary to the Bishop and Diocesan Chancellor of Diphu; 1996–1999: studies for a Licentiate in Canon Law in Rome at the Pontifical Urban University, as well as a specialization diploma in Canon Law from the same institution. During his advanced studies, he also spent a brief period in England at the St. Anselm Institute in Kent, where he obtained a Diploma in Pastoral Counselling; 1999–2005: Diocesan Treasurer and Director of the Social Work Office; 2005–2008: Parochial Vicar of Christ Iyoti Parish in Dokmoka; since 2008: Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Japrajan, and Principal of the attached parish school. He is also the President of the Priests' Association of the Diocese of Diphu.