Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-55
Rev. Fr. Chacko Kanjurparambil SDB (Manimalathara Chackochen)
Rev. Fr. Chacko Kanjurparambil SDB, also known as Manimalathara Chackochen, is a well-known figure in the realm of the Catholic Church in Kerala. Born on August 5, 1925, as the eldest of eleven children to Kuncheeri and Mariamma in the village of Chennangari, he grew up in a farming family that owned multiple rice fields and engaged in various activities, including operating boat services and working as a pumping contractor. He began his career by assisting his father in farming and later took up contracts for pumping work. From 1950, he operated his own boat services in Changanassery-Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha-Thakazhi, and Thalavady, but his business ceased when the communist government nationalized private boat services in 1957.
Chackochen then worked as a District Station Master in the Government Water Transport Department. He served in various locations, including Changanassery-Alappuzha and Kollam-Kochi. Besides, he was involved in agriculture, PWD contracts, and banking cooperation, demonstrating dedication and social commitment in all these fields.
His commitment to social service was evident when, after the nationalization of boat services, he continued to help young people by training them as boat masters, drivers, and crew members. This initiative was crucial because the government had no such training programs at that time.
Chackochen’s family life was blessed. His wife, Thangamma, was a model homemaker who managed family duties with dedication while leading a prayerful life. Her influence was significant in Chackochen’s decision to embrace a spiritual path. In the later years, Thangamma expressed a wish that Chackochen join a monastery to lead a life of prayer. After her passing, which occurred when Chackochen was 70, he was deeply impacted by the loss of both his wife and his second son, Philip, who had passed away unexpectedly.
Philip, a Salesian priest, had completed his theological studies and was appointed as a Bible professor at a theology college in Shillong. His untimely death from a serious illness was a major blow to Chackochen. It was in this period of grief that Chackochen felt a strong calling to pursue monastic life, aligning with his son’s and wife’s wishes.
From 1945 to 1985, Chackochen and Thangamma had ten children, including five sons and five daughters. The eldest child lived only a few hours. Their large family also included 25 grandchildren. Chackochen fulfilled his familial responsibilities well.
Following Thangamma’s death, Chackochen felt a profound calling to become a Salesian priest, which was further reinforced by the passing of his son Philip. The Salesian authorities were receptive to Chackochen’s desire, provided he settled all family matters and obtained consent from his family members, especially his daughters. Despite initial resistance, his children eventually supported his decision.
After resolving family matters and receiving the consent of his children, Chackochen traveled to Guwahati, Assam, the center of the Salesian Province, to begin his novitiate. He studied philosophy and theology, completing his theological studies at the Sacred Heart Theological College in Shillong, where his son Philip had been a professor. He trained at various Salesian centers in the northeastern states.
On May 4, 1995, Chackochen was ordained a priest at St. Joseph’s Church in Chennangari by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil of Changanassery. At the time, he was 70 years old and had been widowed for ten years.
As a Salesian priest, Chackochen served in several parishes and schools in the northeastern states. However, he faced challenges in learning local languages, which affected his pastoral work. After two and a half years, he was transferred to Bangalore and then back to Kerala. His initial service in Kerala was at Don Bosco Bhavan in Palluruthy, where he worked with orphaned children and visited hospitals, homes, and other local institutions, ensuring he provided pastoral care and support wherever needed.
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