NaomiLoftis490 at 10:14, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T10:14:00Z

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{{Short description|Syro-Malabar Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Palai}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| honorific_prefix = Mar
| name = Jacob Muricken
| image =
| caption =
| title = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai|Auxiliary Bishop of Palai Emeritus]]
| diocese = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai]]
| see = [[Pala, Kerala]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmurick.html|title=Bishop Jacob Muricken|website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org}}</ref>
| ordination = 27 December 1993
| consecration = 1 October 2012
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Muttuchira, [[Kottayam District]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| nationality = Indian
| religion = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]
}}

'''Jacob Muricken''' (born 16 June 1963) is an Indian Catholic [[Christian monasticism|monk]], [[Catholic prelate|prelate]] and [[theologian]], who is the former [[auxiliary bishop]]<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2021-02-24|title=K.M. Mani gets memorial in Pala|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/km-mani-gets-memorial-in-pala/article33925675.ece|access-date=2021-12-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai]] (2012–2022).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Syro Malabar Church Bishop ::Mar Jacob Murickan Auxiliary Bishop ::Palai Eparchy|url=http://www.syromalabarchurch.in/bishop.php?id=80|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.syromalabarchurch.in|archive-date=31 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131101933/http://www.syromalabarchurch.in/bishop.php?id=80|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was ordained as a priest by [[Joseph Pallikaparampil]] on 27 December 1993. He served as an assistant vicar, boarding house rector, professor, secretary of Corporate Educational Agency, vicar at Chakkampuzha and Neeloor parishes. He was declared auxiliary bishop of [[Pala, Kerala|Palai]] on 24 August 2012 while serving as the diocesan pastoral coordinator. His episcopal ordination was on 1 October 2012 by [[Joseph Perumthottam]] at [[St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala]]i.

In August 2022, Muricken said that "God inspires me to go into solitude" and resigned from his post as auxiliary bishop to continue his life as a hermit, moving to the hermitage following approval from the Syro-Malabar synod.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-quits-to-become-a-hermit/98500|title=Indian bishop quits to become a hermit|publisher=[[Union of Catholic Asian News|UCA News]]|date=23 August 2022|access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

== Early life and career ==
Jacob Muricken was born at [[Muttuchira]] village in [[Kerala]]. After his collegiate studies at [[Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad|Deva Matha College]], [[Kuravilangad]] from where he took a degree in economics and master's degree in economics from Government College Nattakom Kottayam and he joined Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, Palai. He did his ecclesiastical studies from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, [[Kottayam]]. He was ordained priest by then Bishop Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil on 27 December 1993 at his home parish [[Muttuchira]]. After a short period of service as assistant vicar at St. Mary's Forane Church [[Kuravilangad]], he was appointed rector of Savio Home Boarding House, attached to St. Joseph's EMHS, [[Neeloor]]. Later he served the diocese in various capacities as professor at the diocesan minor seminary, secretary of Corporate Educational Agency, vicar at Chakkampuzha and [[Neeloor]] parishes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Auxiliary Bishop of Palai Diocese Jacob Muricken {{!}} UCA News|url=https://www.ucanews.com/directory/bishops/bishop-muricken/829|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.ucanews.com}}</ref>

== Pastoral ministry ==
He was declared [[auxiliary bishop]] of [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai|Diocese of Palai]] on 24 August 2012 while serving as the pastoral coordinator of the diocese. His episcopal ordination was on 1 October 2012 by [[Joseph Perumthottam]] at [[St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala]]i.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On 19 September 2013, he along with the other newly appointed bishops from around the world, was received in audience by [[Pope Francis]] at the [[Vatican City|Vatican]]. As the general convenor, he was instrumental in the successful conduct of the 31st Plenary Assembly of [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of India|Catholic Bishop's Conference of India]] (CBCI) which was hosted by the eparchy from 5 to 12 February 2014. At present he is serving as the chairman of [[Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council|KCBC]] Commission for SC/ST/BC.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kerala must discuss concerns raised by Pala bishop, says KCB ..|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/state-must-discuss-concerns-raised-by-pala-bishop-kcbc/articleshow/86129000.cms}}</ref> He attended [[Ad Limina|''ad limina'']] visit from 2 to 10 October 2019, along with Kallarangatt. He is also the manager of [[St. Thomas College, Palai]], Alphonsa College, Palai and St. Thomas Teacher Training College, Palai.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

== Living as a hermit ==
In August 2022, The Synod of Syro-Malabar Bishops approved Muricken's request to relieve himself from his post as auxiliary bishop of Palai to live his life as a [[hermit]] and still remain his title as a Bishop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian bishop quits to become a hermit - UCA News |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-quits-to-become-a-hermit/98500 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=ucanews.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Services ==
Muricken donated his kidney to a youth<ref>{{Cite news|title=Act of mercy: Kerala bishop offers his kidney to Hindu man|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/act-of-mercy-kerala-bishop-offers-his-kidney-to-hindu-man/story-wLpWJ5gceYf55Vae26bXXO.html&usg=AOvVaw1x-XqBSOdl88G-S4cUvd3Y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=CNA|title=This bishop in India is donating his kidney to save a Hindu life|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/33970/this-bishop-in-india-is-donating-his-kidney-to-save-a-hindu-life|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en}}</ref> who had a kidney malfunction.<ref>{{Cite news|title=This Article is From May 29, 2016 Kerala Bishop Donates Kidney To Hindu Man, Says Religion Not A Concern|work=NDTV News|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-bishop-donates-kidney-to-hindu-man-says-religion-not-a-concern-1413155}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title="Do Unto Others": Bishop Muricken donates his kidney......|work=Mathrubhumi|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/offbeat/-do-unto-others-bishop-muricken-donates-his-kidney-english-news-1.1091089}}</ref>

In 2020, he launched an online campaign – Justice for M3 (Maira, Minor, Minority) –— to "collectively take a stand against, and strongly condemn, the contemporary scenario of interminable discrimination against minorities, women, and specifically children around the globe." His campaign was focused on severe injustice towards women in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Indian bishop carries on fight against Pakistan abductions|work=UCA News|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-carries-on-fight-against-pakistan-abductions/89393}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=A Christian Girl in Pakistan Pleas for Justice|url=https://thetablet.org/a-christian-girl-in-pakistan-pleas-for-justice/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=The Tablet|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Catholic altar girl in hiding in Pakistan after escaping abductor|work=UCA News|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholic-altar-girl-in-hiding-in-pakistan-after-escaping-abductor/893431}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muricken, Jacob}}
[[Category:Syro-Malabar bishops]]
[[Category:People from Pala, Kerala]]
[[Category:Christian clergy from Kottayam]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Jacob Muricken - Revision history

NaomiLoftis490 at 10:14, 25 March 2026