Although no information on his early years was recorded, the "refined style of the charters he issued" (László Koszta) point at his studies in foreign schools.
King Béla III of Hungary appointed Kalán to administer Croatia and Dalmatia with the title of governor (gubernator) in 1193.
The Cistercian chronicler, Alberic of Trois-Fontaines would even write that Kalán murdered Béla III using a poisoned communion wafer in 1196.
All the same, Pope Innocent III decided the conflict over the archbishopric of Esztergom in favor of Kalán's opponent and confirmed John's election on October 5, 1205.
In short time Kalán established a collegiate chapter dedicated to John the Baptist in front of the western facade of the new church.
He was planning to visit the Holy Land, but his age prevented him from joining the crusade King Andrew II of Hungary organized in 1217.