Mar George Madathikandathil

Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil, son of Mathew and Aleykutty, was born on May 9, 1956. He hails from the parish of St. Sebastian's, Purapuzha, of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam. After having his preliminary studies at Govt. L.P. School, Purapuzha, St. Sebastian's U.P. School, Purapuzha, and St. Augustine's High School, Karimkunnam, he joined St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Kothamangalam, on July 5, 1971, in answer to the call of the Lord to the priesthood.

After his seminary studies, he was sent to St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Alwaye, for his philosophical training and completed his theological training at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye. Bishop Mar George Punnakottil, successor to Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi, ordained him a priest on December 23, 1980, at Purapuzha.

His priestly ministry started with an appointment as the assistant warden of Nirmala High School, Muvattupuzha (January 1981 – May 1981), and subsequently as assistant parish priest at St. George's Cathedral, Kothamangalam (1981–1982), St. Mary's Forane Church, Arakuzha (1982–1983), and Paingottoor (1983–1984) parishes. While serving as assistant at Paingottoor, he also held charge of Punnamattam parish.

In 1984, he was sent for higher studies, and in 1989, he secured his Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, defending his thesis on the subject: 'The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI): An Inter-ecclesial Assembly'. Upon his return, he was appointed parish priest in charge of Thennathoor, Neriamangalam, and Bethel successively. He also served as notary of the Eparchial Tribunal, Defender of Bond, and later as Eparchial Judge. He was appointed the first resident parish priest of Njarakkad from April 23, 1990, to May 15, 1993.

God guided another transition in his life by appointing him as professor at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He served the seminary as professor, Vice-Rector, and Rector for a long span of 17 years. His simplicity, humble wisdom, and pastoral heart inspired many generations of seminarians during their formation to the priesthood.

Following his rectorship, he returned to pastoral work as the parish priest of St. Mary's Forane Church, Arakuzha, where he truly lived as a father to the people of God. His readiness to listen to the struggles of the oppressed and needy made him a beloved shepherd.

On January 10, 2013, the 56th anniversary of the inauguration of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam, his election as the new bishop was announced. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil was enthroned on February 9, 2013, as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam, succeeding the retiring Bishop Mar George Punnakottil. The motto chosen for his episcopal ministry is 'Love Never Ends' (1 Cor. 13:8).