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Birth Date : 8 December 1944
Ordained Priest : 21 December 1972
Joined the Vicariate : 7 July 2001
Left V.O.K : 1 May 2006
Re-Joined the Vicariate : 2 August 2008
Fr. Mathews was born on 8 December 1944 at Narianganam, Pala, in Kerela, India.
He joined the OCD Congregation of the Malabar Province and made the first profession of religious vows on 24 April 1965 and was ordained priest on 21st December, 1972.
He obtained his Master’s Degree in Theology in 1975.
From 1977 until 1981, Fr. Mathews worked in the Punjab Mission and served as the Secretary to the Bishop of Jullunder.
From 1981 until 1984 he served the Diocese of Vijayapuram, Kottayam, as the Vicar of Christ King Church, Muvattupuzha.
From 1984 until 1987 he served in the various provinces and monasteries in India under different capacities.
In 1987 he was appointed and served as the Rector of Carmelaram Theology Seminary, Bangalore for a period of three years.
From 1990 until 1993 Fr. Mathews served as the Rector of Carmel Hill Philosophical Seminary, Trivandrum.
From 1993 until 1996 he was appointed Superior of St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam – Cochin.
From 1996 until 1999 he was the Manager of the OCD Avilagiri Estates in Calicut and was also on the staff of the Minor Seminary in Calicut.
In 1999, Fr. Mathews was appointed Superior of San Joe Ashram, Potta, Chalakudy, and served in this capacity until July 2001.
Fr. Mathews came to Kuwait on 7th July 2001. In October 2001, he was appointed Superior of the Carmelite Mission in Kuwait. He served as Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady of Arabia, Ahmadi till 2005.
Fr. Mathews left Kuwait for India on 1st May 2006.
After leaving the Vicariate, he was sent to Ghent in Belgium to serve the Carmelite Monastery there for one year.
From there he was sent to Ernakulam to serve at St. Teresa's Monastery for one year.
He re-joined the Vicariate on August 2, 2008.
UPDATES
NOTIFICATION FROM THE BISHOP'S OFFICE: 016 / 2009
Appointment of Rev. Fr. Mathews as Coordinator of the Syro-Malabar Community in Kuwait.
19 March 2009
To,
Fr. Mathews Kunnepurayidom Francis OCD
Dear Father Mathews,
Greetings in the Lord!
The increase in the number of Faithful in the Vicariate of Kuwait from Kerala,
especially from the Syro-Malabar Rite makes it pastorally mandatory for me as its Bishop and Vicar Apostolic to assign pastors to look after their spiritual needs.
So, I feel that a priest be assigned from the Vicariate Clergy to coordinate and supervise the spiritual and pastoral activities of the Syro-Malabar Community, in collaboration with the local Bishop.
Trusting in God and in your aptitude and experience in the pastoral field, I do hereby appoint you as the Coordinator of the Syro-Malabar Community in Kuwait.
I am sure your mature advice and pastoral assistance can help the Community to remain well integrated to the rest of the Faithful and to all the activities of the Vicariate.
Imploring God’s blessings on you and the Faithful you are called to serve,
Yours devotedly, in Jesus,
+ Bishop Camillo Ballin
Copy to
H. E. Mons. Mounjed El-Hashem, Apostolic Nuncio
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NOTIFICATION FROM THE BISHOP'S OFFICE: 043 / 2009
Appointment of Rev. Fr. Mathews as Vicar General of the Vicariate Apostolic of Kuwait.
13 June 2009
Rev. Fr. Mathews K. Francis
Cathedral
Kuwait
Dear Reverend Fr. Mathews,
Peace be with you.
Your long experience in our Church in Kuwait, your aptitude in the pastoral field and your very good relationship with all our priests and faithful in Kuwait, has made you understand deeply both, our needs and challenges in this Vicariate. Moreover, I, in consultation with the clergy and some lay people, have all unanimously advised me that you are the most suitable person to help the Bishop in his ministry.
Therefore, it is with joy that I appoint you Vicar General of our Vicariate of Kuwait for a period of three years, renewable, starting from today 13 June 2009. The Canons from no. 475 to no. 481 of the Canon Law give clear indications about your task.
I thank you for your zeal and generosity and I implore from God His blessings on you and on all the clergy and faithful of our Vicariate.
Yours devotedly, in Jesus Christ,
+ Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj
Copy to
H. E. Mons. Mounjed El-Hashem, Apostolic Nuncio
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The Vicariate of Kuwait is now the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia which includes Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The decree from the Holy See came into effect on May 31, 2011. 
