Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-57
Monsingor Joseph Kachiramatam
The renowned and ancient Kachiramatam family of Ramapuram, which has produced many eminent missionaries, priests, and nuns, is notable in the history of the Indian Catholic Church. Mon. Joseph Kachiramatam was born on March 12, 1926, as the fourth child of Abraham and Mary Kachiramatam, among their seven children. His parents, especially his mother Mary, constantly prayed for their children to be called to serve God. Even as a student, Joseph harbored a desire to become a missionary. He completed his primary and middle school education in Ramapuram itself and began his high school education at Bharanangam High School, which he regards as a divine blessing. It was through this opportunity that he had the chance to meet the venerated Alphonsa, an encounter that inspired his missionary aspirations.
After studying in Bharanangam, Joseph continued his high school education at Ramapuram High School. His paternal uncle, Fr. Kurian Kachiramatam (Cheenkallel Kuriyachan), had been a missionary in North India for a long time. Kuriyachan talked to Joseph about missionary work and the potential for missions in North India, and also taught him Latin. Joseph was involved in correspondence with bishops from various mission regions and learned about the missionary work in the northeast.
In 1948, he joined the minor seminary in Yercaud, named after the Mother of God. The minor seminary of the Madras Archdiocese had been functioning in Poonamallee until World War II, when the site was taken over by the military, leading to the establishment of the seminary in Yercaud. The seminary moved back to Poonamallee in 1949, where Brother Kachiramatam completed his seminary life. The seminary was staffed by Salesians, and its rectors at the time were Rev. Fr. Mora S.D.B. and Fr. Mauri S.D.B. During this period, the Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese was divided, leading to the formation of the Vellore Diocese (1952). Brother Kachiramatam was involved in the efforts to manage the foreign missionaries’ work in Assam.
Due to the government’s discouragement of foreign missionaries coming to India’s northeast, efforts were made to recruit missionaries from other regions. The authority over the Shillong region, which was under the Madras-Mylapore archdiocese, was handled by the Venerable David, a Salesian priest. Consequently, Fr. Orestes Marengo, the bishop of the Dibrugarh Diocese, sought assistance from the Poonamallee Seminary. At the time, many students were studying at the Poonamallee Seminary for the Shillong diocese. Fr. Marengo and Fr. Dalsob S.D.B. (Dibrugarh Diocese Vicar General) approached the seminary authorities to discuss the potential of working in Manipur. After agreeing, Brother Kachiramatam was assigned to the Dibrugarh Diocese in 1957 and was ordained a priest on April 24, 1958. Upon arrival in Dibrugarh, Bishop Marengo and the General welcomed him warmly, and he was excited to be the first diocesan priest to go to Manipur.
Fr. Joseph Kachiramatam traveled with Fr. Marengo by train to Manipur, and they were transported by bus to Mao, where the bishop himself met them. Fr. Marengo’s personal care and attention made Fr. Joseph happy and satisfied. He began his work in Imphal on July 27, 1958, with his first assignment at the Don Bosco Church in Chingwairok as an assistant. Fr. Rawalikoth, who was known as the “tower of Imphal,” was the vicar there. For six years, Fr. Joseph worked diligently as a missionary, gaining proficiency in the Manipuri language and effectively serving the people.
Fr. Joseph undertook many challenging journeys as a missionary, including a noteworthy one to Sugnu in 1958. It was a journey without prior experience or knowledge of the area. In Singthum village, he was warmly received by the local Catholics, which was encouraging for his missionary work. His proficiency in the Manipuri language allowed him to work effectively among the people.
One particularly daunting journey was from Churachandapur to Rawakot, a distance of several hundred kilometers. With no knowledge of the language or culture, and navigating through dangerous and rugged terrain, Fr. Joseph relied on his faith in God. After eight days, he reached Rawakot, where he conducted Bible classes and delivered sermons, which were well received by the people. Many villagers converted to Catholicism during his month-long stay. On his return journey, he and ten locals traveled in a homemade raft, enduring hardships without food or security, until they reached Lakhimpur and then Silchar.
In Silchar, he was invited to Shillong. After meeting Fr. Fernando in Shillong, he decided to continue his missionary journey in Manipur, moving from village to village and conducting preaching and teaching. He significantly contributed to establishing new Catholic communities, including in Thanlon (1975) and Singet (1978), and elevated the local school to a high school.
After eight years of service in Churachandapur, he was assigned to the pastoral center in Imphal. His main role was to train “advisers” to assist missionaries. From March 1977 to September 1977, he worked at the center. Following this, Venerable Mar Abraham Elanjimattam, the archbishop of Kohima-Imphal, appointed him as the parish priest of Holy Cross Church in Dimapur. He continued in this role until 1980.
In 1980, when Imphal was elevated to a diocese, Bishop Joseph Mittani became its first bishop, and Fr. Joseph Kachiramatam was invited to Manipur. He gladly accepted the invitation and continued training advisers and managing various tasks. From 1980 to 1983, he served as the Regional Pastoral Center Director and was appointed as the judicial vicar (marriage court judge) of the diocese on July 22, 1980. His appointment was exceptional, as typically those with a profound knowledge of canon law are chosen for such positions.
In January 1984, the diocese headquarters was moved to Mantripukhri, and Fr. Joseph was appointed as the vicar general. On March 26, 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of Monsignor, marking the first time a diocesan priest in northern India received this honor. On December 18, 1999, he was appointed as the parish priest of the newly constructed St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
Upon turning 75, he submitted his resignation in accordance with canon law, which was accepted. However, he continued to live at the diocesan center, providing necessary support and cooperation to all missionaries as a “patriarch.” Although a new, more comfortable pastoral center was opened in 2003, Monsignor Joseph Kachiramatam remains at the older diocesan center.
Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, Monsignor Joseph has accepted everything with satisfaction and remains devoted to his divine calling. His proficiency in languages allows him to comfort and guide those who seek his help. He is pleased with the many vocations in the archdiocese and desires to continue serving in Manipur until the end of his life, having deeply integrated with the region.
Monsignor Joseph Kachiramatam once shared his experience as follows: “Looking back, many things seem like a dream. My first missionary journey was wonderful and full of new discoveries, which transformed me. The place was unknown, and I had no prior experience or knowledge of the language and culture. I relied entirely on God, traveling from village to village through daunting terrain, crossing swollen rivers, and enduring various hardships. Throughout, I felt as though I was hearing God’s call. I would build altars from reeds by the riverside and offer sacrifices for the local people. The mission of St. Francis Xavier inspired me greatly. Following the call of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier traveled long distances, fervently preaching Christ and providing spiritual nourishment to many. Like him, I too journeyed to unknown places. When Venerable Fr. Marengo called for an Indian priest for Manipur, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity. I realized that Manipur was a land of promise. The small mission league that began in Bharanangam and the support from St. Kochuthresia Punnyavathi were all instrumental in shaping my mission thinking. The biography of St. Francis of Assisi and his renowned prayer of peace and love for nature greatly inspired me to become a missionary. My experiences in Bharanangam and meeting Sister Alphonsa were crucial in my journey to becoming a missionary.”
Monsignor Joseph Kachiramatam is also known by the affectionate name Fr. Mattam.
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