Neelankavil was born on 23 July 1967, at Valappad, as the eldest son among the five children of Chevalier N.A Ouseph and T.J Mary in the Archeparchy of Trichur. He belongs to Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral Trichur. Neelankavil had his school education at St. Raphael’s Lower Primary School, Ollur and Latin Convent U.P. School, Trichur and Model High School for Boys, Trichur. After having completed his Pre-Degree Course at St. Thomas College, Thrissur, he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Trichur in 1984.
Career
Neelankavil had his Philosophy and Theology course from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor. He was ordained priest on 27 December 1993. He served as assistant parish priest at St. Antony's Forane Church Ollur and St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayoor. Then he was sent for higher studies in Leuven, Belgium, Catholic University, KU Leuven where he took licentiate in 1997 and Doctorate in Theology in 2002. He joined as professor at Marymatha Major Seminary in 2002 and served the Seminary as animator, Dean of Studies, lecturer of systematic theology, spiritual father and Director of Marymatha Publications. He served the Archeparchy of Trichur as a member of the Theological Commission, chaplain of different formation centers and convents, and a member of Presbyteral Council. He also served as chaplain of Jesus Fraternity at Special Sub-Jail, Trichur. He has founded Pastoral Animation Research and Outreach Centre - PAROC Research Centre of the Seminary, a new venture to re-visualize the pastoral ministry in the present context and to train pastoral leaders from the clergy, the religious and the laity. Neelankavil is a well-known orator, writer and theologian. He was also member of the Theology Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church and of the Liturgical Research Centre. He was also a member of CBCI Bishops-Theologians Colloquium. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Doctrinal Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference, Chairman of the Doctrinal Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church, Chairman of the Liturgical Research Centre, the Episcopal member of the Synodal Commission for St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva and the Episcopal member of the Health Commission of the KCBC. He is proficient in Malayalam, English, and German.
