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Joseph Mar Thoma is the 21st Mar Thoma and belongs to the Palakkunnathu family in Maramon from which have come Abraham Malpan, the reformer and the first four Bishops of the Church after the reformation. He had his theological training at the United Theological College, Bangalore and Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia, USA. He also studied in theological institutions in Canterbury, Oxford and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Virgnia Seminary where he studied. He was the President of the National Council of Churches in India and Member of Executive Committees of different development agencies like CASA and ECLOF. He is one of the Senior Presidents of CCA and the Chairman of CASA. Presently, He is in charge of the Niranam - Maramon Diocese