Welcome to Divine Mercy Parish, Wallsend & Shortland. It’s a real joy to walk this journey of faith together with you — in prayer, in our parish community, and in service to those around us. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our parish family.
Bring your intentions to us — our parish family prays with you through every season of life.
Connect with others through our parish groups and gatherings, growing together in faith and friendship.
Originally from Kerala, India, Fr Paul brings decades of formation, education and pastoral ministry to Divine Mercy Parish. Here is more of his story.
B.Ph., Dharmaram College, Bangalore (1991–1992) · B.A. Economics, St Joseph's College, Devagiri (1993–1994) · B.Th., Dharmaram College, Bangalore (1997–1998) · B.Ed., St Joseph's Training College, Mannanam (2001)
Ordained a priest on 26 December 2000. Alongside parish ministry, he served as Founding Principal of a school with approximately 700 students, shaping his lifelong commitment to Catholic education and formation.
Fr Paul came to Australia in 2006 and spent around five years in the Diocese of Wilcannia–Forbes, including ministry in Bourke and Wentworth.
Around thirteen years across the parishes of Stanley River, Hendra, Chermside and Wavell Heights — serving also as Dean of the North East Deanery, Prison Chaplain at Woodford, Racing Chaplain at Hendra, and a member of the Archdiocesan Clergy Sustentation Trust Fund.
Ministry began in 2022 in Newcastle City and the Chisholm Pastoral Region. In April 2026, Fr Paul was appointed Parish Administrator of Wallsend–Shortland, now Divine Mercy Parish.
Fr Paul believes that a vibrant parish is built not by the priest alone, but by a community in which clergy and laity pray, discern, serve and share responsibility together. He particularly encourages parishioners to discover their gifts, welcomes greater participation of young people and families, and values the close relationship between parish, school and the wider community.
As Divine Mercy Parish moves into a new chapter, Fr Paul’s vision is to honour the rich histories and traditions of Wallsend and Shortland while bringing the two communities ever closer together as one welcoming, prayerful and missionary parish.
“Jesus Christ must remain at the centre of everything we do, and the mercy we receive from Him must become the mercy we share with others.”
— Fr Paul Chackanikunnel
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