Jolly Vadakken

Jolly Vadakken
Apostolic Visitator-designate for the Syro Malabar Church in the Arabian Gulf
Church	Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Appointed	November 18, 2025
Predecessor	Office Established
Orders
Ordination	December 26, 1989 by  James Pazhayattil
Personal details
Born	Jolly Vaddaken (1965-04-20) April 20, 1965 (age 60) Mala, Kerala
Denomination	Syro-Malabar Catholic

Fr. Jolly Vadakken (born April 20, 1961) is an Indian-born bishop-elect of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in the Persian Gulf. He serves as the Apostolic visitator for the Syro Malabar Church for the faithful in the Arabian Gulf.

Biography

Early life and priesthood

Jolly Vadakken was born on April 20, 1961 in the village of Mala, Kerala located in the Thrissur district. He conducted his early education at Soccorso Convent L.P School and St. Antony's High School in Mala. He started his priestly formation at St. Mary's Minor Seminary in Thope and then completed his philosophical and theological studies at the St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary in Alwaye, where he graduated in 1989. ^[1]

He was ordained by James Pazhayattil on December 26, 1989, to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Irinjalakuda. After his ordination, he served as a assistant priest before becoming a priest in Kuzhur and Parakkadav. In 1995, Mar Pazhayattil sent Fr. Vadakken to the Salesian Pontifical University, where he received his licentiate in Media and Catechesis. ^[1]

After his return to India, he continued his ministry as a parish priest before serving as the Director of the Diocesian Catechetical Department, Media Apostolate, Pastoral Center, Bible Apostolate and Justice Forum. After his stint in those roles, he served as the dean of studies at the Pastoral Orientation Centre in Palarivattom. In 2013, he was named as the Secretary for the Media Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishop's Council until becoming the Vicar General for the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda in 2024. ^[1]

Apostolic Visitor

On November 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed him as the Apostolic visitor for the Syro Malabar Church for the faithful in the Arabian Gulf. ^[2]

References

1. "Fr. Jolly Vadakken Appointed Apostolic Visitator for Syro-Malabar Faithful in Gulf". Catholic Connnect. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
2. Bureau, The Hindu (18 November 2025). "Fr. Jolly Vadakken appointed apostolic visitor for faithful in the Gulf". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 18 November 2025.{{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)