Joseph Parecattil

Joseph Parecattil (April 1, 1912&mdash;February 20, 1987) was an Indian prelate of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Ernakulam from 1956 to 1984, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1969.

Biography
Joseph Parecattil was born in Kidangoor, Kerala, and studied at the minor seminary of Ernakulam and the major seminary of Kandy, from where he obtained a doctorate in theology (with a dissertation entitled: "Augustine vs. Pelagius on Grace"). Servant of God Fr.Varghese Palakkappillil (Payyappilly) was the manager of St.Mary's High School, Alwaye where he had his boarding life. He also attended the University of Madras, where he specialized in economics. Ordained to the priesthood on August 24, 1939, he then did pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam, serving as assistant pastor at Narakal and North Paravur and as pastor at Chunangamvely. He was also editor of the weekly Sathyadeepamn ("Truth's Light").

On October 28, 1953, Parecattil was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam and Titular Bishop of Arethusa dei Siri by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 30 from Eugène Cardinal Tisserant, with Archbishop Joseph Attipetty and Bishop George Alapatt serving as co-consecrators. After the death of Archbishop Augustine Kandathil on January 10, 1956, Parecattil was promoted to Archbishop of Ernakulam on the following July 20. He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and served as President of the Syro-Malabar Episcopal Conference, of the Kerala Catholic Episcopal Conference, and of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (1972-1976).

Pope Paul VI created him Cardinal Priest of Nostra Signora "Regina Pacis" in the consistory of April 30, 1969. In addition to his duties as Archbishop, Parecattil was also President of the Pontifical Commission for the Revision of the Code of Oriental Canon Law from 1972 to 1987. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the conclaves of August and October 1978, which elected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II respectively. After an 18-year-long tenure, he resigned as Archbishop on January 30, 1984.

Parecattil died in Kochi, aged 74. He is buried in St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam.