ഞാൻ നല്ല ഇടയനാകുന്നു… തലശ്ശേരി അതിരൂപതയിലെ 200 ലധികം ഇടവകകളിലെ പതിനായിരക്കണക്കിന് ദൈവജനത്തിന്റെ നല്ല ഇടയൻ.
കഴിഞ്ഞ ഒരു പതിറ്റാണ്ടിനോടടുത്ത്‌, ഇസ്രായേൽ ജനത്തെ ഈജിപ്തിൽ നിന്നും കാനാൻ ദേശത്തേക്ക് മോശ എന്നതുപോലെ കണ്ണൂർ, കാസർഗോഡ് ജില്ലകളിലെ ദൈവജനത്തെ കൈപിടിച്ച് പ്രത്യാശയുടെ പുതിയ മേച്ചിൽപുറങ്ങൾ തേടാൻ സഹായിച്ച ക്രിസ്തു സാന്നിധ്യം…. പ്രാർത്ഥനയുടെയും ലാളിത്യത്തിന്റെയും പുഞ്ചിരിയുടെയും സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെയും ഇടയസാന്നിധ്യം. അഭിവന്ദ്യ മാർ ജോർജ് ഞരളക്കാട്ട് മെത്രാപ്പോലീത്ത.
ഇടയവഴിയിൽ തന്നെ ഏൽപ്പിച്ച ഉത്തരവാദിത്വം നൂറുമേനി ഫലം പുറപ്പെടുവിക്കുന്നതായി പൂർത്തിയാക്കി, കുറഞ്ഞ കാലം കൊണ്ട് തലശ്ശേരിയിലെ പതിനായിരക്കണക്കിന് വിശ്വാസി സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ ഹൃദയം കവർന്ന്, സുന്ദരമായ ഒരു നൂറ് ഓർമ്മകൾ സമ്മാനിച്ച്, വിശ്രമജീവിതത്തിലേക്ക് പ്രവേശിക്കുന്ന ഞങ്ങളുടെ ഏറ്റവും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട പിതാവിന്, മാർ ജോർജ് ഞരളക്കാട്ട് മെത്രാപ്പോലീത്തക്ക് ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ യാത്രാമംഗളങ്ങൾ.
Archbishop George Njaralakatt was born on 23.06.1946 at Arakuzha in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam (now in the diocese of Kothamangalam), as the eldest son of Varkey and Mary Njaralakatt. He had his elementary school studies at Arakuzha. In 1960 his family migrated to Nadavayal in South Wayanad Taluk in Calicut District which was then in the diocese of Tellicherry. He completed SSLC in 1963 at St. Thomas High School, Nadavayal and he was admitted in St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Tellicherry by Bishop Mar Sebastian Valloppilly. He did his philosophy and theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva. He was ordained priest for the diocese of Tellicherry by Bishop Mar Sebastian Valloppilly on 20.12.1971 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Church, Tellicherry. He holds a BA degree from the University of Mysore.
After the ordination Fr. Njaralakatt was appointed as the assistant parish priest of St. George’s Church, Kanichar. He served the parish for a year. (April 1972 to April 1973). In 1973the diocese of Tellicherry was bifurcatedand the diocese of Mananthavady was erected on 01.03.1973. So Fr. Njaralakatt was transferred to the new diocese and became the parish priest of Arinchermala and Kaniampattain 1973. He served the diocese of Mananthavady in various capacities as Parish Priest, Vicar of Forane District, Director of CML, Assistant Director of Catechism Department and later as its Director, Director of Pastoral Centre at Dwaraka, Procurator, Vicar General and Administrator. He took Licentiate in Catechetical Theology from Pontifical Salesian University, Rome, in 1983-86.
In 2008 he became the first Vicar General of the diocese of Bhadravathy. Later when the diocese of Mandya was created by bifurcating the diocese of Mananthavady in 2010, he was elected its first bishop. He was ordained a bishop by Archbishop Mar George Valiamattam in the Cathedral Grounds of Infant Jesus Cathedral Church, Mysore on 07.04.2010 and he took charge of the diocese on the same day.
On 29.08.2014 Bishop Mar Njaralakatt was elected as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tellicherry by the Holy Synod of Syro Malabar Church as Archbishop Mar George Valiamattam tended his resignation upon reaching retirement age. Bishop Njaralakatt was installed as the Archbishop on 30.10.2014 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Church, Thalassery and assumed office on the same day. His motto is to have life and to have it abundantly (Jn.10,10)
Presently he serves the Church in India as the Vice President of CBCI and serves the Church in Kerala as the Chairman of KCBC Health Commission. Besides he assists the Syro Malabar Church asa member of the Permanent Synod, Chairman of Catechism Commission, Member of Vocation Commission and Chairman of Synodal Commission of the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kunnoth.
The parents of Mar Njaralakatt are no more. His Siblings are Mr. Peter Njaralakatt (late) Nadavayal and Mrs. Elsamma Ambalahtumkal, Dwaraka
He is the direct heir of the patrimony of Tellicherry as he was ordained a priest by the legendary first bishop of Tellicherry, Mar Sebastian Valloppilly of happy memory (1953-1989) and a bishop by Mar George Valiamttam, the second bishop (1989-1995) and first archbishop (1995-2014) of Tellicherry.