Mar George Valiamattam (born 16 September 1938) is an Indian prelate of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He served as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry from 1995 to 2014, having previously governed the diocese as Bishop since 1989. Known for his administrative acumen and strict liturgical discipline, he is currently the Archbishop Emeritus of Tellicherry.
During his tenure, he oversaw the elevation of Tellicherry to a Metropolitan Archdiocese and played a pivotal role in the administration of the Syro-Malabar Church. He is noted for presiding over the historic synodal session that elected George Alencherry as the first democratically elected Major Archbishop in 2011.[1] He is also known for his prudent handling of the Eucharistic miracle at Christ the King Church, Vilakkanur in 2013, which received Vatican recognition in 2025.[2]
Early life and education
George Valiamattam was born on 16 September 1938 at Punnathura, in the district of Kottayam, Kerala, as the eldest son of Thomas and Annamma Valiamattam. He belongs to an agrarian family that was part of the Kudiyettam (migration) movement; his family later migrated to Kodencherry in the Calicut district.
He completed his school education at Nariveli and Punnathura. He began his priestly formation at St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Thope (Thrissur), before studying philosophy at Carmelgiri Seminary in Aluva. He continued his theological studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
Priesthood
Mar George Valiamattam celebrating Syro Malabar Holy Mass in full vestments
Valiamattam was ordained a priest on 30 November 1963 in Rome by Mar Sebastian Valloppilly, the first Bishop of Tellicherry. Following his ordination, he pursued higher studies, obtaining a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1967. His doctoral research focused on theological foundations which later influenced his role as a seminary professor and doctrinal guardian.
Upon returning to India, he served in various capacities within the diocese, including:
Assistant Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Kodencherry.
Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Thalanji.
Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop of Tellicherry.
Rector of the Minor Seminary.
When the Diocese of Thamarassery was erected in 1986, he served there as Chancellor and Director of Catechism. At the time of his episcopal appointment, he was serving as the Forane Vicar of St. Thomas Forane Church, Shirady.
Episcopal ministry
Bishop and Archbishop of Tellicherry
Mar George Valiamattam with Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhy and Mar James Patteril CMF
On 1 May 1989, Valiamattam was appointed as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Tellicherry, succeeding Mar Sebastian Valloppilly. He was consecrated on the same day by CardinalAntony Padiyara.
On 18 May 1995, Pope John Paul II raised the Diocese of Tellicherry to the status of a Metropolitan Archdiocese. Valiamattam was subsequently elevated to the rank of Metropolitan Archbishop, becoming the first head of the newly constituted ecclesiastical province. He was enthroned on 24 July 1995.
Leadership and Uniform Mass
Archbishop Valiamattam was widely regarded as a "far-sighted visionary" and a disciplinarian who combined paternal care with administrative firmness. A defining aspect of his leadership was his staunch adherence to the decisions of the Syro-Malabar Synod regarding liturgy.
Historical context: On 8 February 1986, Pope John Paul II inaugurated the "Restored Holy Qurbana" during his historic visit to Kottayam, personally celebrating the mass to set a precedent for liturgical unity within the Syro-Malabar Church.
Enforcement: Following the Synod's unanimous decision in 1999 to adopt a "Uniform Mode of Celebration" (where the priest faces the people during the Liturgy of the Word and the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist), Archbishop Valiamattam rigorously enforced this mode within his archdiocese.
While other dioceses faced decades of resistance, Valiamattam’s firm governance ensured that the Archdiocese of Tellicherry became a model for the successful implementation of the Synodal Mass, maintaining strict liturgical unity among his clergy.
Agrarian leadership and migrant welfare
As the shepherd of the "Mother Diocese of Migrants," Valiamattam focused heavily on the social and economic welfare of the Syrian Christian farming community in Malabar.
INFAM: He was a founding patron and the Episcopal Advisor of the Indian Farmers Movement (INFAM), established in 2000.[3] Under his guidance, the church took an active role in advocating for price stability for rubber and spices, critical to the region's economy.
Education: Recognizing the need for social mobility among migrant families, he established several premier educational institutions, including Vimal Jyothi Engineering College and various nursing colleges, to serve the rural population of Kannur and Kasaragod.
2011 Major Archiepiscopal election
Following the death of Major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil in 2011, the Syro-Malabar Church held its first-ever autonomous synodal election to choose a successor. Previously, Major Archbishops were appointed directly by the Pope.
As one of the senior-most prelates in the Synod of Bishops, Mar George Valiamattam presided over the historic electoral session in May 2011. His role was crucial in steering the synod through this novel democratic process, which resulted in the election of Mar George Alencherry as the first elected Major Archbishop. Valiamattam’s conduct during the session was widely credited for ensuring a unified and smooth transition of power.
Vilakkanur Eucharistic miracle
During his tenure, a significant spiritual event occurred within the archdiocese. On 15 November 2013, at Christ the King Church, Vilakkanur, a consecrated host reportedly manifested the face of Jesus during the Holy Qurbana.
Valiamattam exercised prudent canonical caution regarding the event:
He immediately instructed the parish priest, Fr. Thomas Pathickal, to secure the host in the tabernacle to prevent sensationalism.
Three days later, he personally transferred the host to the Archbishop's House in Thalassery for safekeeping.
He instituted the initial theological and scientific commission to study the phenomenon.
His decision to preserve the host rather than dismiss the event laid the groundwork for future investigations. The phenomenon was eventually recognized as a Eucharistic Miracle by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in May 2025.
Retirement
Mar George Valiamattam with his successors Mar George Njaralakatt and Mar Joseph Pamplany
Having reached the canonical retirement age of 75, Mar George Valiamattam tendered his resignation to the Holy See. His resignation was accepted, and he was succeeded by Mar George Njaralakatt on 30 October 2014. He continues to reside in the Archdiocese as Archbishop Emeritus.
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