Diocese of Port-Bergé

Georges Varkey Puthiyakulangara, M.E.P., was born on January 26, 1953, in Endoor, in the Diocese of Tellicherry (India). He comes from a Christian family of the Syro-Malabar rite. After attending primary school at the Minor Seminary in Mangalore, he completed his secondary education in Mysore and subsequently pursued studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Theology. He also obtained a diploma in Social Communications in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1982, and incardinated into the Diocese of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, India. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1982–1985: Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony’s Parish, Diocese of Chikmagalur; simultaneously, he taught history and English at St. Philomena's High School in Hassan; 1985–1986: He was in Paris to study the French language (residing with the M.E.P. Fathers—the Paris Foreign Missions Society); 1986–1987: He arrived in Madagascar as a *fidei donum* missionary for the Diocese of Mahajanga; 1987–1990: Parochial Vicar in Mandritsara (now in the Diocese of Port-Bergé); 1990–1995: He became associated with the M.E.P. in Paris, eventually becoming a full member in 1995; 1992–1995: Parochial Vicar at Mahabibo Parish; 1992–1997: Chaplain for Caritas and the prisons in the city of Mahajanga; Diocesan Treasurer for the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood and Assistant to the Diocesan Pontifical Mission Societies; 1997–2004: Administrative Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar. Since 2005, he has returned to the Diocese of Mahajanga, serving as the Diocesan Director of Catholic Education and assisting with Sunday celebrations at the Victoire Rasoamanarivo Parish.