Heartfelt and warm welcome to Rev. Dr. Varghese Manakkalett (Regi Achan) to UAE

To the beloved Rev. Dr. Varghese Manakkalett (Regi Achan), who has been appointed as the new coordinator of the Malankara Catholic Church communities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a heartfelt and warm welcome.

Regi Achan was born on May 10, 1964, to Varghese Manakkalett and Mariamma at Kadamankulam, Thiruvalla. He has one elder brother and three sisters, including Sister Susy, a member of the Holy Spirit Congregation.

He completed his primary and secondary education in Puthiyassery and Thiruvalla. He completed his philosophy studies at St. Mary’s Seminary, Nalanchery, and theology studies at the Pontifical Seminaries of Alwaye and Mangalapuram. He was ordained a priest on December 26, 1990, by His Grace Timothy Cardinal.

He began his priestly ministry in the Idukki region, serving in the parishes of Kottapaara, Kappaippara, Chettukkuzhi (Vandanamedu), Kompayar, Manthippara, Thelliyoor, and Kaanjittukara. He was the secretary of His Grace Timothy Cardinal from October 1993.

In the 1990s, he earned a master’s degree in Canon Law from Bangalore and a law degree (LLB) from Vivekananda College. He started practicing as an advocate in the Bar Council of Kerala in 2000. During this time, he served in the parishes of Kadappra, Mannar, and Nedumaavu.

For further studies, Regi Achan went to France and earned a doctorate in Canon Law from the Catholic Institute Toulouse in Paris. After returning, he served as the registrar and professor at the major seminary. During this time, he also passed with first rank in MA Philosophy from the University of Kerala.

He served as the judicial vicar in the dioceses of Mavelikkara, Muvattupuzha, Thiruvalla, and Pathanamthitta. During this time, he also completed an MBA in hospital administration. He has also served as the president of our church’s Ordinary Tribunal until recently.

He served as the executive director of the Rashtradipika daily newspaper for more than four years.

This is just a small part of the life of the beloved Achan, who has completed three decades of priestly ministry. It is very proud that he has served in various temples/regions/places in a commendable manner. Regi Achan, who is a dedicated and hardworking person, is a multifaceted personality who is shining in the field of education, administration, and spiritual leadership.

May our community, one of the most vibrant and dedicated communities in the Malankara Catholic Church, continue to walk on the path shown by the apostle of unity, the servant of God Mar Ivanios Valia Thirumeni, in the UAE, upholding the uniqueness, cherished traditions, and faith values of the church, and uniting the church children under one umbrella with strength and unity. May the church children be prepared and equipped in this decade, which is entering the century, to open new windows and dimensions in church ministry, and to climb the steps of unity.

We wish and pray that this may happen.

May God bless Regi Achan and his ministry in the UAE.