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Thomas Kuzhinapurath: An Indian Canonical Theologian
Thomas John Kuzhinapuath (born May 24, 1969) is an author and priest of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church of India.
Early life
Kuzhinapurath was born in 1969 to Pakalomattom Kuzhinapurath John Thomas andAnnamma John at Omallur in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India.Kuzhinapurath had his school education in Aryabharati High School, Omallur near Pathanamthitta. In 1984, Kuzhinapurath joined St. Aloysius Seminary, Trivandrum. Bythis time he had studied for Pre-Degree in the University of Kerala, and he passed theexamination with first class. He then joined St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary,Trivandrum for his philosophical studies which lasted for three years. After the successfulcompletion of the pastoral training, Kuzhinapurath joined St. Joseph's Pontifical Institute, Mangalapuzha, Aluva for four years of theological studies. By this time Kuzhinapurathhad published many theological articles in various journals
1
 and he became the Student-Chief Editor of the philosophico-theological journal
Mathavum Chinthayum
. In his finalyear of theological studies he co-edited the book,
Viriyunna Navalokam
, a scripturalstudy on the parables of Jesus.
Priesthood
Kuzhinapurath was ordained a priest for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in 1994 atthe age of 25. His first appointment was in St. John's Leprosy Hospital, Pirappancode,Trivandrum. In 1995 Fr. Kuzhinapurath started the Malankara Catholic Mission Centre atAttingal,Kerala. In 1996, Fr. Kuzhinapurath became the Chancellor of the Archieparchyof Trivandrum, where he assisted with the formulation and publication of the statutes of the Archieparchy of Trivandrum, of the Presbytral Council and of the Pastoral Council.In 1998 Fr. Kuzhinapurath was sent to Rome for higher studies in Oriental Canon Law(CCEO). In 2000 he took master's degree in Oriental Canon Law and he registered for Doctoral Research at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome where he studied under guidance of Bishop Dr. Dimitri Salachas, an authority in Oriental Canonical Studies. Hecompleted the Research of Doctorate in August 2002.Kuzhinapurath was the contact person of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church for theGreat Jubilee 2000 Celebrations in Rome. He had an audience with the Pope John Paul IIand presented his book 
 Daivajanam
to the Holy Father.
2
 
1
 
Mathavum Chinthayum
,
Christava Kahalam
,
 Aikyadeepam
,
 Preshita Keralam
1991-1994.
2
Monsignor Pedro Lopez Quintana,
 Letter to The Reverend Thomas Kuzhinapurath
, TheCity of Vatican, Secretariate of State/First Section, General Affairs, 2 December 2000quoted in Daniel Poovannathil, ed
 Daivajanapadhanangal 
, Carmel Publishing Centre,
 
During his studies in Rome Fr. Kuzhinapurath went for pastoral work in a parish atMontecchio Emilia in Italy. He could establish the first Malankara Catholic Communityin Italy (of Bethany Sisters) there at Montecchio Emilia in 2000. Fr. ThomasKuzhinapurath visited United Nations Headquarters (UNO) at New York in 2000.At present, Fr. Thomas Kuzhinapurath is the Notary of the Major Archiepiscopal Tribunalof the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He serves as the Promoter of Justice of theEparchial Tribunal of Mavelikkara. He is also working as the chaplain of Good SamaritanHome,Trivandrum, a centre which takes care of cancer patients. The centre offersaccommodation and care for the patients of Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum.
Scholar and Expert
Thomas Kuzhinapurath being an expert of Oriental Canon Law (CCEO) was invited tothe Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church to assist thediscussions on the Particular Law, on July 15 -17, 2008 at the Catholicate Centre,Trivandrum.Various audio-visual Media in Kerala broadcasted talks and programmes onthe theological vision and social activities of Thomas Kuzhinapurath.
3
Writing career
Kuzhinapurath has published well-studied articles in both English and Malayalam.
4
Heserved as student-chief editor of the philosophical journal,
Mathavum Chinthayum
. TheUniversity of Kerala has selected one of his articles for the pre-degree syllabus.
5
Kuzhinapurath has authored
 Daivajanam
6
and
Salvific Law
,
7
each of which has been published in two editions.
 Daivajanam
is a collection of essays in Malyalam on socio-theological issues. His article within the volume argued that the juridical status of theSyro-Malankara Catholic Church (which was as a Metropolitan) is incompatible with its jurisdictional history.
8
 In 2005, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was elevated to theTrivandrum, 2002, p.4.
3
 
All India Radio, Trivandrum, Talks Branch, Contract dated September 23, 2008; Power Vision TV, Guest Room, October 9, 2008, IST 19.30
4
 
Mathavum Chinthayum
(1991, 1994);
VijnanaKairali
(1997);
Christian Orient 
(1998).
5
The University of Kerala
 Bhashathilakam
, ISBN-81-86397-13-2 Thiruvananthapuram,India, 1998.
6
 
Fr. Thomas Kuzhinapurath,
 Daivajanam
, Collection of Essays, ISBN 81-87655-13-5,Carmel Publishing Centre, Trivandrum, India, 1998.
7
 
Thomas Kuzhinapurath,
Salvific Law
, MS Publications, Thiruvananthapuram, India,2008.
8
 
Thomas Kuzhinapurath,. "Malankara Katholikka Sabhayute Vyakthithvam" in
 Daivajanam
, 1998, pp. 35-41; See also, Thomas Kuzhinanapurath, "Malankara CatholicChurch
 sui iuris
: Juridical Satus and Power of Governance" in www.scribd.com; ThomasKuzhinapurath, "Metropolitan Church
 sui iuris
Juridical Status and Power of Governance",
Christian Orient 
XXI/I, pp. 41-48.
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