Mar Mathew Vaniakizhakkel V C, hailing from Kaithapara parish in the eparchy of Kothamangalam, was born at Vandamattam on 23rd December, 1945. He had his primary education in the Govt. School, Vanamattam and in the St Mary's U P School, Kodikulam. He completed his High School studies in the Govt High School, Thodupuzha.

After SSLC, he joined the Vincentian Minor Seminary at Angamaly. He had his philosophical and theological studies at the St Joseph's Pontifical Semianry, Aluva and was ordained priest on 18th December, 1972. Then he continued his Post-Graduate studies in Spiritual Theology in the same seminary. First he was appointed Director of the St Vincent's Orphanage in Meenangady for one year and later as Procurator of the Novitiate House there.

In 1977, he came to Satna - the mission territory to the Vincentians - and worked as Secretary to the Bishop and later as Parish Priest of a village mission station at Kailaspur. In 1981, he went to Rome for his doctoral studies in the Angelicum. He returned to Satna in 1984 and took charge as the Director of the Pastoral Centre - Edessa - which was at its beginning stage.

In 1990, he was appointed Novice Master of the Santhome Vincentian Novitiate, Munnoorpilly, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. After two years, he was elected Provincial of the St Thomas Vice-Province with its Provincial House, at Rewa in the eparchy of Satna. When the term of office was over, in 1997, he was appointed Rector of the De Paul Institute of Religion and Philosophy, Bangalore. While in his office as Rector, he was appointed Bishop of Satna. The announcement was made on 14th January, 2000. He was consecrated and installed Bishop on 12th April, 2000.

He completed 14 years shepherd the Eparchy as a zealous eparch and pastor. He renounced his office of the eparch on 27th August, 2014.

Vincentian Vidyabhavan
P B No. 603, Aluva
Ernakulam – 683 102
Kerala, India

9446 – 133 – 280

vaniakizhakkel@gmail.com