Fr. Anthony Valiplakkal, the first Kerala-origin Capuchin priest to study and be ordained in Ireland, has been warmly welcomed across various parishes in Kerala during his first visit home since ordination. His journey from electronics engineer to Catholic priest represents a remarkable vocational transformation.
Fr. Anthony was ordained by Bishop Donal Roach, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dublin, in May 2025 after completing his studies at the seminary in the Diocese of Dublin. He is the eldest of two children born to Kurian and Annakutty of Valiplakkal family in Bharananganam. His younger sister Bineetha is a school teacher in Muvattupuzha, married to James of Kalluvechel, Arikkuza parish.
Upon his first return to India as a priest, Fr. Anthony offered Holy Mass at Bharananganam church, his mother’s home parish. His path to priesthood was unconventional. After completing his B.Tech as a first batch student at Pala Choondacherry Engineering College, he pursued an MBA in Ireland and worked as an electronics engineer with Irish Rail for two years. During this time, he felt a strong calling to religious life.
Responding to this vocation, Fr. Anthony entered seminary in Ireland, where he completed studies in Philosophy and Theology before his ordination. He joined the priesthood as a member of the Capuchin missionary congregation, a Franciscan order known for its commitment to serving the poor and marginalized.
During his Kerala visit, Fr. Anthony also served at Vellikulam church and was honored with a special reception at Vellikulam parish. The parish vicar, Fr. Scaria Vekathanam, welcomed Fr. Anthony with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of his historic achievement as the first from the Kerala community in Ireland to receive priestly ordination.
Fr. Anthony’s story highlights the growing presence of the Indian diaspora in Ireland and their contributions to the Catholic Church in their adopted country.