The first Claretian missionary in India, Father George Vanchipurackal, died on December 25 after celebrating Christmas with his family. He was 79.
Father Vanchipurackal was a pioneering formator and mentor for Claretian priests in India after he was ordained in Rome in 1969.
He was part of the second batch of students sent by the then Palai bishop Sebastian Vayalil to the Claretian seminary in Germany.
“Father George Vanchipurackal was one of the pioneers who contributed a lot towards the growth of our Congregation in India,” said Father Siby Njavallikunnel, provincial superior of the congregation.
He served as prefect of formation for the Bangalore Province in the early nineties and played a key role in forming Claretian missionaries in India.
He served as the first rector of Claretian seminary in Bangalore and formed the first batches of Claretians in India. He then served as a formator in Northeast India as rector of Claret Villa, Shillong, the formation house for theology.
Later he went to Germany to serve the province there. After several years of service in Germany, he was re-incardinated to the Province of St. Thomas Syro-malabar Province in 2013.
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