Bishop of Kannur
Alex Joseph Vadakumthala was born on June 14, 1959, in Maradu-Panangad, Ernakulam District, within the Archdiocese of Verapoly. He began his studies in Panangad and later continued them at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Ernakulam. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the seminary in Pune. He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1984, at the Cathedral of Verapoly and incardinated into the same archdiocese. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1984: Assistant Parish Priest at the Cathedral of Verapoly; 1985–1988: St. Philomena’s Church, Koonammavu; 1988–1992: Doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, residing at the Pontifical St. Paul’s College; 1993–1999: Official at the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (for Health Pastoral Care); 1999–2009: Secretary General of the CBCI Health Commission (serving two terms); from 2009: Lecturer and Procurator at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye; 2009–2011: Assistant Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Verapoly; Director of Cochin Arts Communications, Verapoly; in charge of the Mamkkapady sub-station; Project Director for the CBCI’s Society of Medical Education in North India, Ranchi; 2009–2013: President of the Canon Law Society of India; from 2011: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Verapoly.