Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-82
Fr. Jacob Pulikottil
Fr. Jacob Pulikottil, a social worker and writer who worked for a long time in the family apostolate, was born on May 30, 1928, as the son of Chackunni-Rose couple in the parish of Mattam in the Diocese of Thrissur. He completed his education at St. Francis High School, Mattam, and St. Thomas College, Thrissur. After that, he joined the St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Thrissur to begin his priestly studies. He earned degrees in L.P.A. and M.Tech after studying at seminaries in Kandy and Pune. On December 21, 1958, he received his priestly ordination at the Pune seminary.
Fr. Jacob served in various parishes including Irinjalakuda, Kadupassery, Kuzhikattussery, Moondumuri, Ambanoli, Thumbakode, the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, Vadakkancheri, Vendore, Marathakkara, Peramangalam, Ayithole, Kuriyachira, Puranattukara, John Paul Nagar, Koonammuchi, Karamuck, Padavarattu, Chittilapilly, Parannur, Thuruthiparamba, Nehru Nagar, and Sarithapuram. He was the founder and director of the Family Apostolate Center in the Thrissur diocese. Fr. Pulikottil was also instrumental in starting seminars for marriage preparation at the Family Apostolate Center. He provided extensive training for priests and nuns, but he realized that no training was given to the parents who raise them, which he believed was unjust. This realization prompted him to initiate classes for marriage preparation at the Family Apostolate Center.
Although classes for marriage preparation began in the Thrissur diocese in 1977, they became mandatory from 1978. This led to the establishment of systems for promoting family apostolate at all levels. Fr. Pulikottil was also the initiator of family gatherings and was appointed as the director of the mothers’ group.
In 1971, awareness campaigns regarding family planning began at the government level, strongly promoting having fewer children. Fr. Pulikottil was tasked by the church authorities to provide training in every parish about what the church teaches regarding family planning. He visited every parish to conduct classes for parents and formed groups in each parish to promote this idea.
In 1979, he participated in a seminar in Madras related to the National Family Year. While serving as the director of the mothers’ group, the general body expressed concerns about the deterioration of families due to alcohol and drug abuse, calling for action against these issues.
In light of this, Fr. Pulikottil traveled to various parishes to conduct classes on the evils of alcohol and drugs. He wrote several books based on the encyclical letters of Pope Pius XII. Additionally, he authored works on topics like our offerings, alcohol consumption, drug use, smoking, and the evils of AIDS, as well as a discussion guide on natural family planning and the challenges of non-violence.
For 23 years, he served as the director of the diocese’s Apostolate Center. He also worked as the assistant director of C.R.S. Under the Food for Work program of C.S. Arin, he managed the construction of 5,000 houses in the diocese and numerous roads.
Fr. Pulikottil was actively involved in various activities, including natural family planning, pro-life movements, anti-drug and alcohol initiatives, family counseling, and family visits. He played a crucial role in determining boundaries during the establishment of the Irinjalakuda and Palakkad dioceses.
Having visited places like Rome, Lourdes, and Jerusalem, Fr. Pulikottil had the opportunity to meet and receive blessings from the Pope twice.
Known as the “Father of Families,” Fr. Pulikottil donated an acre of land and 50,000 rupees to the Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph in Kalady, leading to the establishment of the St. Joseph Missionary Congregation in his parish. Family welfare activities associated with this congregation are conducted for people of all religions. This institution continues to facilitate family visits, social work, vocational training, and various related activities.
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