Archbishop Emeritus of the Thrissur Archdiocese, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, passed away at 2.50 pm on Wednesday at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur. He was 94 and had been under treatment for age-related ailments.

The public can pay their respects to the late prelate on September 21 from 12.15 pm at the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur. At 3.30 pm, the body will be taken in procession to Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral, where a service will be held at 5 pm, followed by Holy Mass at 7 pm. On September 22, a funeral service and Holy Mass will take place at 9.45 am at Lourdes Cathedral, Thrissur. The burial will be held at 4 pm at his native place in Kozhikode.

Life and service
Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy was born on 13 December 1930 at Vilakumadam in the Eparchy of Pala, later moving with his family to Thiruvambady in Kozhikode. He pursued priestly studies at St Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, and the Urban College, Rome, where he was ordained priest on 22 December 1956. He went on to earn a Doctorate in Canon and Civil Laws from the Lateran University, Rome.

On returning to India, he served as secretary to Mar Sebastian Valloppilly, Bishop of Thalassery, and as Chancellor of the Eparchy. He later became Rector of the Minor Seminary, Thalassery, before pursuing a Master’s degree in English Literature at Fordham University, New York.

In 1973, he was appointed the first Bishop of the newly formed Eparchy of Mananthavady and was consecrated on 1 May 1973 by Cardinal Joseph Parecattil. After 22 years of service there, he was transferred to become the Bishop of Thamarassery in 1995. The following year, he was appointed Archbishop of Thrissur and was installed on 15 February 1997, serving until his retirement in 2007.

Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy was known for his pioneering contributions to the Church and society, including the establishment of Marymatha Major Seminary, Jeevan TV, Jyothi Engineering College, Mahajubilee Training College, Jubilee Mission Medical College, and several other institutions. He also served as Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).