Bishop Alex Joseph Vadakumthala Named Ecclesiastical Advisor to Jesus Youth International

Kerala, April 23, 2026 : In a development of global significance for the youth apostolate, Bishop Alex Joseph Vadakumthala has been appointed Ecclesiastical Advisor of Jesus Youth International, reinforcing his longstanding pastoral engagement with the vibrant Catholic movement.

The Kannur prelate, who has served as Ecclesiastical Advisor to Jesus Youth India for the past six years, now assumes a broader responsibility at the international level. His appointment is seen as a natural extension of his deep involvement in guiding the spiritual and organizational growth of the movement.

Appointed Bishop of Kannur by Pope Francis on February 1, 2014, Bishop Vadakumthala brought to the episcopacy a wealth of pastoral and canonical experience. Prior to his episcopal ordination, he served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Verapoly.

Born on June 14, 1959, in Maradu in Ernakulam district, within the Archdiocese of Verapoly, he began his priestly formation at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Ernakulam, and later pursued philosophical and theological studies in Pune. He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1984, for the Archdiocese of Verapoly.

In his early ministry, he served as assistant priest at the Cathedral of Verapoly and later at St. Philomina’s Church, Koonammavu. His academic pursuits led him to earn a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in 1992.

His service to the universal Church includes his tenure as an official of the Pontifical Council for Health from 1993 to 1999. Upon returning to India, he served as Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Commission for Health from 1999 to 2009. He later worked as assistant to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Verapoly and served as President of the Canon Law Society of India from 2009 to 2013.

Church observers note that his appointment to Jesus Youth International places him in a wider ecclesial role at a time when youth movements are playing an increasingly vital part in evangelisation and leadership formation within the Church.

By Dr. Midhun Paul

Jesus Youth International Coordinator