TRIBUTE PAID TO
CARDINAL VARKEY VITHAYATHIL
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil,Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church passed away on Friday 1st April,2011. He was 84.
The Cardinal was admitted to Lissie Hospital, Ernakulam following a heart attack after a private hily mass at his official house, Kochi. The funeral is likely to be held at Ernakulam on April 10, since many Archbishops are in Rome now, Till then, the bosy will be kept in the mortuary of little flower Hospital, Angamaly. The Curia Bishop Mar Bosco puthur will take over as administrator of the major Archiepiscopal church till the synod elects a new major Archbishop by a two=third majority. Church bells would chime and special prayers would be offered in churches in memory of the Cardinal during the period.
Vithayathil was born on may 29, 1927 at Varapuzha puthen palli to Chevalier Joseph Vithayathil, a judge of Kerala Highcourt and Thresimma. He had five brothers and two sisters. Pope John II appointed him as Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese on December 18, 1996. He was consecrated as bishop on Jauary 6, 1997, appointed Major Archbishop on December 23, 1999 and nominated to the college of Cardinals on January 21,2001. He participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
Those who arrived at the hospital to pay their last respects to the high priest included communist party of India (Marxixt) general secretary Prakash Karat, Fisheries Minister S. Sarma and K.P Dhanapalan and P. Rajeev,MPs .Union Defense Minister A.K Antony was among those who conveyed their condolence. Pope Benedict XVI has mourned the death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, aleader of the church in India who battled for the rights of Christian minorities. Benedict lauded the Cardinals dedication and service to the Syro-Malabar Church in India
Communist party of India state secretary described major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil as a religious leader who tried to propound the message of universal humanism both within and outside the Christian church. Arch Bishop was one who always thought about the poorest of the poor and maintained excellent relations with the communists. He sincerely believed in the need for peaceful co-existence with communists. He could never compromise with violence. His views on the role of the church in education were noteworthy for their pro-poor bias and democratic concerns. Communist party of India general secretary Prakash Karat has condoled the death of Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil Mr Karat said at Kochi on Friday that the cardinal was an eminent religious leader.
Prof. John Kurakar
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