Bishop Joseph Kodakallil was born on 18th December 1965 at Pothanikad in the eparchy of Kothamangalam as the fourth child of late
Mr K.A. John and Mariakutty. He had his primary education at Pothanicadu and Vazhathope and the middle school at Govt U P School Pathinaramkandam
and High school at Sree Vidyadiraja Vidya Sadan English Medium School, Paremavu, Idukki. He has two elder brothers, one elder sister and one
younger brother. His elder brother Fr Kuriakose is a priest in the eparchy of Kothamangalam.
After passing SSLC in 1981, discerning the vocation to priesthood, he joined seminary for the eparchy of Satna and was sent to MST Minor
Seminary Deepti Bhavan, Melampara. The second and third year minor seminary course was completed at Christu Vidya Niketan, Vincentian Minor
Seminary, Maidani in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. After passing the intermediate and Hindi Prathama in 1984 he pursued his philosophical
studies at St Albert's College, Ranchi (1984-86). The regency period was spent in Maihar and Dewra. He did his theological studies at St
Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor (1988-1991) where he obtained Bachelor's degree in Theology from Paurastya Vidhyapitham.
He was ordained priest on 31st December, 1991 by the first bishop of Satna Eparchy, Mar Abraham D. Mattam VC at the newly consecrated
St Vincent's Cathedral, Satna. After the ordination, he was appointed Parochial Vicar and later as Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier's Church,
Bodabag, Rewa and Manager of Jyoti School, Rewa (1992-96). He completed his post-graduation in English Literature from APS University Rewa in 1995
and M Th from Paurastya Vidyapitham, Kottayam (1996-98). He was appointed Vice-Rector and Procurator of St Thomas Minor Seminary Sherganj and
later as Rector of the same seminary (1998-2001). He obtained doctorate in Oriental Liturgy from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome in 2006.
He was Vice-Rector and Dean of Studies at St Ephrem's Theological College, Satna (2006-2009), Vicar General (2009-2014) and Parish Priest of
St Vincent's Cathedral (2009-2015) and Rector of St Thomas Minor Seminary (2014-15).
When Bishop Mathew Vaniakizhakkel VC, the second Bishop retired from his episcopal office, Mar Joseph Kodakallil was appointed the third Bishop
of Satna on 22nd July, 2015 and the episcopal ordination and installation was on 15th September, 2015 in Satna.
He has taken the motto “By God's Grace” (1 Cor 15:10) inspired by St Paul who always believed that his identity and existence is due to the
grace of God and the missionary must rely only on God's grace.
Address
Bishop’s House P B No. 22, Rewa Road Satna – 485 001 Madhya Pradesh, India
