Fr. Dr. Cherian John Kottayil S/o late Thomas John, is 33 years as priest originally from St. George Church Chunkappara in Pathanamthitta, ordained on 28 dec 1992 in the Archdiocese of Thiruvalla. Started a new mission in Attappady, Palakkad in May 1993 and after the pastoral services in various parishes appointed as the director of family apostolate in the archdiocese. Along with these assignments finishing Masters degree in philosophy from the University of Kerala and went for higher studies in the Catholic University Louvain Belgium in 2002. After finishing Doctorate in 2008 returned to the home diocese. Appointed as resident Professor in St. Mary's Malankara Major seminary Trivandrum in 2010 and worked also as the Dean of Studies till 2017. During the period from 2010 to 2017 also worked as the Secretary to the Synodal commission for Theology of Syro Malankara Catholic Church. From 2017 to 2025 was appointed as Principal cum Director to the Macfast; during this period also worked as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thiruvalla till 2024 and vicar of various parishes in the archdiocese. In the US, he worked in St. Michael's parish in New Jersey and St. Bernard at Wickford Rhode Island. And he worked in Germany also. In UK Scotland, he served in St. Gabriels Merlee road Glasgow and in England: Sacred Heart church Waterlooville. Now he is appointed as the priest in charge of Syro-Malankara Missions St. Joseph, East london and St. George,Luton and also serving as Parish priest at English Martyrs church, Horchuch in the diocese of Brentwood. I hope his various pastoral experiences in different countries will enrich our missions and the Latin parish as well. We welcome Rev. Fr. Cherian Kottayil to the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in the United Kingdom and wish him all the best for his pastoral ministry.
