NEW DELHI: A Malayali clergy has come to the aid of the Tura diocese of Meghalaya. Pope Francis appointed Mon. Jose Chirakkal, known as Father CJ in the Tura diocese. Jose Chirakkal is a member of the parish of Karukutti in the diocese of Angamaly.
Mon. CJ was born on July 14, 1960, the eldest son of the late Joseph Annam, a native of Kalukkutti Chirakkal. Jose became a clergyman in the Tura diocese in 1976. He completed his studies at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Shillong, King’s College, and Oriental Theological College. He was ordained a priest on 29 December 1987 for the Diocese of Tura. In 1995, he received his doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Urbana in Rome.
He began his career as an assistant deacon at St. Joseph’s Church, Selsella in 1988 and served as headmaster at Dalu Sacred Heart School, rector at Tura St. Peter’s Minor Seminary, and later as diocesan proclaimer and chancellor. In 2011, the cathedral became vicar. He then served as Rector of Oriental Theological College.
