Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-100 Alexander P. Varghese

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-100
Alexander P. Varghese
Alexander P. Varghese, who has worked at various levels as the National President of the Vincent de Paul Society, a member of its International Finance Committee, and a prominent figure in the constitution of the Malankara Catholic Association, was born on November 29, 1929, in Kallarikkal family in Kuttur, near Thiruvalla, to Varghese and Miamma. His mother, Mariamma, is from the Thakkel family in Vallamkulam.
He received his school education at Peringara Prince Marthanda Varma High School. He then joined Changanassery SB College, where he completed his B.A. degree with first-class honors. After that, he entered government service, retiring as a Revenue Divisional Officer. He also served as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Senior Grade Deputy Collector). While in service, he passed various first-class examinations, including the Judicial Test, Higher Survey Examination, Office Procedure Test, Revenue (Laws on Land) Test, Accounts and Audit Test, and Cooperative Test, completing training in Police and Magisterial training, Organization and Methods training, and Higher Survey training.
During his service, he made notable contributions to the socio-cultural sector. He served as the National President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from 1998 to 2003 and was the Diocesan President of the Society in Thiruvalla for 13 years. He also served as the President of the YMCA Kuttur unit for four years. He has held positions such as President of the Thiruvalla Taluk Pensioners Association and President of the Kallarikkal Family Assembly.
From 2000 to 2003, he served on the International Finance Executive Committee of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was a consultant for the Society’s Rules Revision Committee. He was also the Chairman of the Rules Revision Committee for the Society in India.
He has been a long-term member of the C.B.C.I. National Advisory Council, the Thiruvalla Diocesan Administration – Finance Council, and the Diocesan Social Service Education Advisory Council. For the past 28 years, he has been a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and is also part of the governing council of Pushpagiri Medical Society, Pushpagiri Medical College, and its Nursing and Pharmacy Colleges.
He has served as the Chief Examiner of the Kerala Government Public Service Commission, Patron of the Kuttur Nadam Fine Arts Society, and Chairman of the Kuttur Panchayat Peace Committee.
He has participated in international seminars of the Vincent de Paul Society held in Montreal, Canada; Fatima, Portugal; Seoul, South Korea; and Goa, India. Alexander has visited all major cities in India and traveled to England, France, Holland, Italy, the Vatican, Portugal, the USA, Canada, Dubai, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.
He regularly writes articles on various subjects for periodicals. For his valuable contributions to the church and community, Alexander P. Varghese was honored with the Papal Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II in 1991. His spouse is Saramma.