Rev. Corepiscopo Philip Uzhunnalil, senior priest of the Parassala Eparchy of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and a distinguished missionary in the regions of Neyyattinkara and Kattakada, was called to eternal rest in the Lord on Friday, 25th September 2020, at a private hospital in Kattakada.
The funeral rites were held at the chapel adjacent to the Priests' Residence at Nellikakadu. The chief celebrant of the funeral liturgy was His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
The rites were conducted in accordance with the ecclesiastical protocols of the Syro-Malankara tradition. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Eparch of Parassala, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mar Paulos, Eparch of Marthandam, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, former Eparch of Pathanamthitta, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Theodosius, Eparch of Muvattupuzha, and His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Eparch of Mavelikara, concelebrated the funeral rites with His Beatitude Catholicos as the main celebrant.
The final interment was solemnly conducted on Sunday, 27th October, in the specially prepared tomb adjacent to the chapel. His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos led the concluding rites, assisted by Their Excellencies Thomas Mar Eusebius, Joshua Mar Ignathios, and Samuel Mar Irenios.
Several public figures, including Members of the Legislative Assembly—Mr. I. B. Satheesh, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Shabarinath, and Mr. Anselam—paid their respects at the funeral. Clergy from various eparchies, including Vicar Generals, Corepiscopoi, priests, Provincial Superiors, religious men and women, and a multitude of the faithful offered their prayerful homage to the mortal remains of the departed servant of God.
The Priestly Fraternity of the Parassala Eparchy and the Sisters of the Nirmala Province, Venniyoor (Daughters of Mary), took leadership in organizing and facilitating the liturgical and logistical arrangements for the sacred funeral rite.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News…”
Born and raised in the land of Chengannur, a humble servant of God walked the roads of southern Travancore, carrying the radiant light of the Gospel into countless hearts. That beloved apostle of Christ, Very Rev. Philip Uzhunnalil Corepiscopa, entered eternal rest on September 25, 2020, leaving behind a legacy steeped in grace, sacrifice, and divine mission. With hearts full of gratitude, we remember and honor his saintly life and priestly ministry that profoundly shaped the growth of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, especially in Neyyattinkara and Kattakada regions.
Born on January 16, 1936, as the sixth among seven children to Kurian Nainan and Annamma Nainan in the parish of Elanjimel under the Mavelikkara Diocese, Fr. Philip’s journey began in faith and simplicity. He pursued his early education at Elanjimel Primary School, CMS School Mavelikkara, and high school at St. Mary’s, Pattom. In 1953, he joined the St. Aloysius Seminary, Pattom, beginning his sacred priestly formation. Completing studies in philosophy and theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, he was ordained on December 3, 1963, by the Metropolitan Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios of Trivandrum.
Fr. Philip’s initial priestly years saw him minister in parishes like Chandanapally, Thattayil, Kodumon, Ezhukone, Angadikkal, Ayoor, Vengode, Elamadu, Cheruvaykal, Punalur, Karavoor, and Elikkattoor. Recognizing his deep missionary zeal, the saintly Mar Gregorios entrusted him in 1967 with the care of four mission stations: Chemparathivila, Chaykkottukonam, Vandanmoodu, and Kodangavila. Thus began a long and fervent journey, rooted in Balaramapuram and Chemparathivila, into the heartlands of the mission.
In those early years, he travelled by foot and bicycle across vast rural terrains to celebrate the Holy Qurbana and administer the sacraments. His ministry became the foundation for what is today the Parassala Diocese. Except for his initial three years, Fr. Philip dedicated the entirety of his priesthood to these southern missions, leaving behind an unmatched legacy of evangelization. Over 43 tireless years, he baptized over 30,000 faithful and established more than 50 parish communities—a feat that stands as a glowing testimony of divine grace.
Beginning with the first church in Kandal in 1968, Fr. Philip spearheaded the establishment of mission centers in places such as Punnavoor, Puthenkavuvila, Potta, Malayinkeezhu, Kottarakkonam, Kallamam, Vadakara, Poovachal, Ponneeduthakuzhi, Mailakkara, Chaykkulam, Anakkode, Kariprakonam, Vellurkonam, Kanakkuzhi, and many more. We fondly remember the Sisters from the Daughters of Mary Congregation and many other collaborators who walked beside him in nurturing these vibrant faith communities.
With a vision that went beyond evangelization, Fr. Philip initiated numerous self-employment and social upliftment programs. These included:
• Punnavoor Yesu Deepapatti Candle Company
• Chemparathivila Wax Unit
• Pongummoodu Kerala Feeds
• Tailoring and weaving centers across Aruvattukonam, Konnikonam, and more
• Livelihood support through distribution of cows, goats, and buffaloes
• Loans and financial aid to counter the 1980s coconut crisis
• St. Philip’s Home for the Aged and Destitute in Chemparathivila
He was always at the frontlines—wiping the tears of the downtrodden and lighting lamps of hope in their lives. His concern for the holistic growth of the community made him a pastor of the people, in every sense of the word.
One of his dearest ministries was in education. Starting from nurseries and feeding centers in various parishes, he catalyzed an educational revolution by establishing:
• Carmel Matha English Medium School, Punnavoor (1970s)
• Holy Queens School, Neyyattinkara
• Fr. Philip’s Higher Secondary School, Nellikkad
• Mother Teresa College of Arts and Science, Nellikkad (2014)
Each of these stands as a living monument of his passion for empowering young minds.
A shepherd committed to the sacraments, Fr. Philip celebrated them with reverence, precision, and deep pastoral care. He was both firm and gentle—disciplining with love and guiding with wisdom. He placed high value on training catechists and Sunday School teachers, building up a generation rooted in Scripture and faith. His prayer life, deep Marian devotion, and unwavering fidelity to the Eucharist were sources of spiritual fire for many.
Standing faithfully beside leaders like Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, Fr. Philip lived out the missionary vision of the Malankara Church with unwavering conviction. On May 31, 2008, Baselios Cleemis Catholicos elevated him to the rank of Corepiscopa, a fitting recognition of a life well spent for God and His people.
Having celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1988 and Golden Jubilee in 2013, Very Rev. Philip Uzhunnalil Corepiscopa left behind a golden legacy—84 years of a saintly life, 57 years of priestly ministry, and an impact that continues to echo across generations. Truly, he was a noble tree planted in the vineyard of the Catholic Church, bearing rich and lasting fruit in the Lord’s harvest
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