THRISSUR: Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Thrissur and a towering presence in the Syro-Malabar Church, passed away on Wednesday.
He was 94 and had been under treatment for age-related ailments for several months. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Born on December 13, 1930, to Kurian and Rosa Thoomkuzhy of Vilakkumadam, in the Diocese of Pala, he was the youngest seminarian when he joined the Minor Seminary at Changanassery, earning the affectionate nickname Benjamin.
After completing his philosophy studies at the Major Seminary in Alwaye, he pursued theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and was ordained a priest on December 22, 1956. He remained in Rome for further studies, securing a doctorate in Canon Law from the Lateran University before returning to Kerala.
Fr. Thoomkuzhy served initially as Secretary to the Bishop and Chancellor of the Diocese of Tellicherry, while also assisting in parishes. His leadership qualities were soon recognised, and on May 1, 1973, he was consecrated as the first Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Mananthavady. During his two decades there, he founded the Society of Kristhu Dasi (SKD), a congregation committed to pastoral and social service.
In 1995, he was transferred to the Diocese of Thamarassery as bishop, but within a year, he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur. He led the archdiocese from 1996 until his retirement on January 22, 2007, becoming its second archbishop.
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy played a pivotal role in expanding the educational and healthcare apostolates of the Thrissur Archdiocese. He was instrumental in establishing institutions such as Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute and Jyothi Engineering College at Cheruthuruthy, which continue to serve as landmarks in the fields of education and healthcare.
Known for his calm and humble nature, he worked tirelessly to maintain unity within the diocese and to promote harmony among clergy and laity. He was widely admired for his pastoral zeal, administrative acumen, and deep spirituality. His words to the faithful, often repeated with disarming simplicity—“Don’t forget to pray for me too”—remain etched in the memory of those who knew him.