Rev. Fr. Fabian Kunnappally, TOR was born on November 28, 1941 to Mr. Garvasis and Mrs. Mariam Kunnappally, of a traditional Catholic family in the parish of Chirakadav in the Diocese of Kanjirappally, Kerala. Fr. Fabian is the 6th of11 siblings of which 7 are brothers and 4 are sisters. His youngest sister is Sr. Lucy, F. C. C., belonging to the Province of Jalandhar.
Fr. Fabian studied until middle school at St. Ephrem’s School at Chirakadav. Later he completed his High School from the Government High School at Kanjirappally. Thereafter he joined the Order in 1962 at Franciscan Training Institute, Ranchi. He did his Novitiate at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Babumahal under the direction of Rev. Fr. Simon Engler and made his First Profession on May 31, 1965. Fr. Fabian studied Philosophy at St. Albert College, Ranchi from 1965 to 1967. He made his Solemn Vows on May 31, 1968. Thereafter, he joined St. Albert College, Ranchi for Theology studies completing it in 1971. He was ordained a Deacon in Ranchi by Archbishop Pius Kerketta, S. J. He was ordained a priest on October 26, 1971 by Bishop Urban Macgarry, TOR at Chakkai.
His priestly ministry spanned a good five decades most of which was that of a fervent pastor in various parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Bengal. Initially, he served as an Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi. Then he was shifted to Dorma where he assisted Fr. Theodore Baa, TOR in pastoral ministry. In 1975 he was appointed the First Parish Priest of Harmu Parish. He was a pioneer in Bengal assisting Fr. Dionis Kiro, TOR at Mendabari from 1976 to 1979. In 1979 he was appointed the Parish Priest of Chirki. Eventually, in 1983 he pioneered the Mission in Jamtara purchasing a property of 6 acres. He served as the Parish Priest in Kanjwae, Dumka Diocese, Hasimara, Jalpaiguri Diocese; Banhora, Ranchi Diocese; Adhikari, Bagdogra Diocese; Bhukhumunda, Simdega Diocese; Noamundi, Jamshedpur Diocese and Getalsud, Ranchi Diocese. He also served the Order in taking care of a property in Kariappally, Kerala from 2010 to 2014.
Fr. Fabian took ill while in Getalsud and was under treatment in Franciscan Training Institute for the last four years. He was shifted to Franciscan Ashram, Harmu in October, 2024 due to medical reasons. During the days after Christmas he developed breathing difficulties and was admitted in Sante Vita Hospital, Ranchi. On January 14th, he was shifted to Constant Lieven’s Hospital and Research Centre, Mandar where his health deteriorated and he breathed his last on January 20, 2025. The funeral service was held on 22nd January at Banhora presided over by His Grace Vincent Aind, Archbishop of Ranchi Archdiocese.
Fr. Fabian was known as a dedicated pastor who worked tirelessly for the faithful he served. He is particularly recognized for being a rare Keralite priest who could speak Oraon language. He was comfortable in other local languages like Santali and Mundari as well. Fr. Fabian has been always keen to preach the Gospel and bring more people to Christ. For this he worked with immense devotion, sincerity of purpose and single heartedness. Needless to say that he lived a simple and down-to-earth life. We could truly speak of him as a shepherd who smelt like the sheep.