MAR JOSEPH IRIMPEN (1974-1994)

Joseph Irimpen was born at Poovathussery in the eparchy of Irinjalakuda on 25th February 1919. After finishing successfully the High School studies at St. Aloysius High School, Elthuruth, he had his college education at St. Thomas College, Thrissur and graduated in 1943 from the Madras University.

He had his eccelesiastical studies in the Papal Seminary, Kandy and was ordained priest on 6th May, 1950.

While he was the Vicar General of the eparchy of Trichur, he was appointed Bishop on 27th June 1974 of the newly erected eparchy of Palghat and was ordained bishop on 8th September 1974 by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Parecattil, assisted by their Excellencies Mar Joseph Kundukulam, the then Bishop of Trichur and Mar Sebastian Vallopilly, the then Bishop of Tellicherry. He took charge of the eparchy on 8th September 1974.

He was a simple, humble and zealous pastor who went about “loving and serving”. He built up the diocese with a vision and taught by his example to be holy and happy. He retired from the office on 6th December 1994. Mar Joseph Irimpen slept in the Lord on 23rd August 1997 and was buried in St. Raphael’s Cathedral, Palakkad.