Bishop Jose Porunnedom was born at Alacode in the erstwhile civil district of Ernakulam (at present in the civil district of Idukki) on March 13,1956. He has had his primary schooling at PLPS Vettimattam, and UP School studies at Maloth Kasba (Kasargode Dt) and High School studies at St George's HS, Kalayanthany (Eparchy of Kothamangalam). In 1972 he joined St. Josephs Minor Seminary, Tellicherry (1972-1975) for the diocese of Tellicherry. He has had his philosophy studies at St. Josephs Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva (1975-1978). In 1977 he joined the newly erected eparchy of Mananthavady. After having completed the theology studies he spent a year of regency in the Tribal colony at Thirunelli and subsequently he was sent to Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide in Rome for Theology (1979-1982). On return from Rome after having successfully completed the theology at Universita Urbaniana, Rome he was ordained priest on December 22, 1982 in his home parish at Malome, (Archeparchy of Tellicherry) by Bishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy, the first bishop of Mananthavady. Subsequently, he served as assistant parish priest at St Sebastian's Parish, Kottiyoor, and later as Vicar of St Sebastian's Parish, Santhigiri. In 1984 he was appointed as secretary to Bishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy, and eparchial Chancellor as well as the judicial vicar. While serving at the eparchial curia he served also as vicar of Christ the King Parish, Puthusserikadav and later parish priest of St George's Parish, Thrissillery. In 1986 he was sent to Rome for higher studies. There he obtained a Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

After his return from Rome in 1991, he took charge of the offices of the eparchial chancellor and of the judicial vicar. Simultaneously he was appointed the vicar of Little flower Parish, Kammana. In 1992 when the Syro-Malabar Church was declared Major Archiepiscopa, late Archbishop Abraham Kattumana, the Pontifical Delegate to the Syro-Malabar Church, appointed him as the chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia. Subsequently, he was nominated also as the assistant secretary of the Syro-Malabar Bishops' Synod. Major Archbishops Mar Antony Cardinal Padiyara and Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil extended his offices till he was appointed the third bishop of the eparchy of Mananthavady on March18, 2004, following the death of Mar Emmanuel Pothanamuzhy CMI in 2003. He was consecrated bishop and took charge of the eparchy on May 15,2004. His motto is Not to be served, but to serve (Mt.20:28).