Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam (born 11 March 1946) is the Archbishop Emeritus of the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Trivandrum.
Biography Born in Marthandanthurai village of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, Maria Calista Soosa Pakiam alias M. Soosa Pakiam was ordained as a Priest on 20 December 1969 at the age of 23. Pope John Paul II named him coadjutor bishop of Thiruvananthapuram in December 1989.
He was consecrated as a bishop on 2 February 1990 and took over from Emeritus bishop Rev. Dr. Jacob Acharuparambil as Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram in January 1991. He became the first metropolitan Archbishop of newly erected Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese On 23 June 2004.
Soosa Pakiam has headed the KCBC and Kerala region Latin catholic bishop council.
On 22 February 2021, Soosa Pakiam unofficially retired due to ailing health and Auxiliary Bishop Christudas Rajappan took over his duties. On 2 February 2022, Pope Francis officially accepted Soosa Pakiam's resignation and named Dr. Fr. Thomas J. Netto as the archbishop of Trivandrum.
Course of School studies (where and When) Lower PrimarySt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1950Upper PrimarySt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1955Middle SchoolSt.Aloysius, MarthandanthuraYear1955-1958High SchoolSt.Joseph's H.S., TrivandrumYear1958-1961Minor SeminarySt.Vincent's Seminary, PalayamYear1958 – 1963Major Seminary (Philosophy)St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye, Carmelgiri.Year1963 – 1966Major Seminary (Theology)St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, AlwayeYear1966 – 1970OrdinationSt.Joseph's Cathedral, Palayam, TvmYear20.12.1969Higher StudiesLiturgical Institute and Biblical Institute, RomeYear1972 – 1977DegreesS.Th.L.L.,S.S.L.,RomeYear
Position Held sl.no.Field of ActivityYear1Assistant Warden, Catholic Hostel, Palayam1970 April – July2Vicar Co-operator, Vlathankara16.07.1970 – 24.05.19713Prefect, St.Vincent's Seminary, Palayam24.05.1971 – 12.09.19724Vicarius Substitutes of the parishes of Poovar,Karinkulam and Kochuthura1972 April – May5Parish Priest of Thycaud13.11.1977 – 01.05.19796Director of Orientation Centre13.11.1977 – 23.06.19787Diocesan Director of Communication Media13.11.1977 – 01.05.19798Diocesan Director of Biblical Apostolate,Catechism and Sacred Liturgy23.11.1977 – 01.05.19799Spiritual Father of St.Vincent's Seminary, Palayam23.06.1978 – 01.05.197910Spiritual Father of St.Joseph's Pontificial Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye15.05.1979 – 17.05.198611Spiritual Father of St.Joseph's Pontificial Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye15.05.1979 – 17.05.198611Professor of Sacred Liturgy and Scripture, St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye01.06.1979 – 17.05.198612Rector, St.Vincent's Seminary, Kazhakuttom17.05.198613Diocesan Consultor12.01.198814Diocesan Director of Priestly Training01.08.198815Nominated Co-adjutor bishop of Trivandrum (Latin) by Pope John Paul II02.12.198916Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Trivandrum13.01.199017Date of Episcopal Ordination (Consecration)02.02.199018Appointed Bishop of Trivandrum31.01.199119Chairman for Catechetical Commission of (KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference1995 -199820Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of (CCBI) Catholic Conference Bishop of India1997 – 200321Chairman, Commission for the Ministry of Word and Worship of (KRLCBC)Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishop's Conference1997 – 200322Member, Seminary Commission of (KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference1990 – 199723Chairman, Commission for Anti-Alcoholism of KCBC (Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference)1998 - 200524Chairman, Jubilee 2000 of KCBC (Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference)1999 – 200025Member in ICEL (International Committee for English Liturgy)1999 – 200226Vice President of KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Conference)2002 – 200727Chairman of Laity Commission in KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Conference)2002 – 200928Chairman of the Laity Commission in CBCI (Catholic Bishops Conference of India)2002 – 200429Member of the FABC Commission for Laity2003 -200530Appointed first Metropolitan Archbishop to the newly erected Archdiocese of Trivandrum (Latin)17.06.200431President of KRLCBC (Kerala Regional (Latin) Catholic Bishops Council)2009-201932President,(KCBC) Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference2016 - 201933Retired as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum02.02.202234Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum02.02.2022-19.03.2022
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