Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt was born on 27 January 1956 at Kayyoor. After his school studies, he joined the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, Karoor for ecclesiastical studies. He was ordained priest on 2 January 1982. After having served as the assistant parish priest at Aruvithura and Ramapuram, he was sent to Rome for higher Studies in 1984. He secured his doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. Then he started teaching at Paurastya Vidyapitham and St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary Vadavathoor. He has authored 30 theological books and more than 450 articles related to various topics in theology. Following the resignation of His Excellency Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil, he was appointed the third Bishop of Palai on 18 March 2004, while serving as the president of the Paurastya Vidyapitham. He was ordained Bishop by His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil and was enthroned by His Beatitude Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil on 2 May 2004 at a solemn function held at the St. Thomas College Grounds, Palai.