Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry (1928-2017):
In founding the Caritas Secular Institute Bishop Thomas Tharayil used to consult Rev.Fr. Kuriakose Kunnacherry, at that time doing his Doctorate in Canon Law in Rome, and he considerably helped the Bishop to concretely articulate and work out the canonical requirements of erecting a Secular Institute.
On May 8,1965 Rev.Fr. Kuriakose Kunnacherry was appointed by the Bishop as the spiritual Director of Caritas Secular Institue. From that time onwards as well as during his episcopate, Bishop Kuriakose Kunnacherry used to give regular spiritual instructions and guidance to the members. He also took great interest in sending the members for higher training in various disciplines and was instrumental in the overall growth and apostolic expansion of the Institute especially to Germany. During his time the Institute made great strides in the apostolate of the service of the sick, social apostolate, parish apostolate, family apostolate etc.
In the year 1986 the revised Constitution and Rules of the Caritas Diocesan Secular Institute for Women was approved by Bishp Kuriakose Kunnacherry.(Decree No.17B/86)
In the year 2002 the Constitutions of the Caritas Secular Institute, its Directory and Ratio Studiorum were provisionally approved for three years by Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry.
The following houses were started during the episcopate of Bishop Kunnacherry,
Maria Bhavan Thellakom,Thaibusa S.H.Mount,Uraha Bhavan Payyavoor, Kanthis Samkranthy,Haus Marianthal West Germany,Caritas Institute Hostel Kannur,Shalom Hostel Caritas,Soubhagya Old age Home Peroor, Caritas Study House Bangalore and Caritas Bhavan Kanhangad