Mar George Punnakottil M.A., S.T.D., L.S.S.
H.L.Mar George Punnakottil was born on 13th September 1936 at Thazhavankunnu. After matriculation in 1953 from Infant Jesus High School Vazhakulam he joined the Minor Seminary at Ernakulam. He did his philosophical studies at St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha and theological studies at Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
He was ordained a presbyter in Rome on 18th October 1961 through the imposition of hands by Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the then Metropolitan of Changanacherry. He took licentiate in Sacred Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome and obtained doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He was then appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest of St.George's Cathedral, Kothamangalam. In 1968 he joined the St.Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam as the professor of Sacred Scriptures and Theology. In 1974 he left for U. S. A. and secured a Master's degree in International relations from the Vanderbilt University of Nashville in Tennessee State in 1976. He was a visiting scholar in Union Theological Seminary too.
Coming back to India in 1976 he resumed his office as professor at St.Thomas Apostolic Seminary Vadavathoor. He served the seminary also as the Vice Rector and the Editor to the periodical Bible Bhashiyam. During this period two books on the Bible and a number of scholarly articles were written. On 16th February 1977 he was appointed the Bishop of the diocese of Kothamangalam and was consecrated on 24th April 1977.
At present H.E. Mar George Punnakottil holds the offices of:
Chairman of theKCBC Bible Commission and Kerala Catholic Bible Society
Chairman of the Synodal Commission for Liturgy
Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue
Member of the Pontifical Council for the Culture, Vatican, Rome.
Member of CBCI Standing Committee