TRIBUTE PAID TO REV. FATHER SUKOL

TRIBUTE PAID TO

 REV. FATHER SUKOL

                Fr. L.M. Sukol, an Italian priest known for his austere life dedicated to serving the poor and attached to a congregation here, died on Monday,6^TH Jamuary,2013, night at a private hospital in Kozhikode. He was 98.Fr. Sukol was admitted to the hospital a few days ago. The body was brought here on Tuesday and the funeral service will be held at the Mariyapuram Cemetery at Pariyaram on Wednesday.Born in Italy in 1916 to a peasant couple, Fr. Sukol came to India in 1948. He became an Indian citizen in 1980. Under his humanitarian initiatives, houses were built in large numbers for the poor. The Kannur diocese honoured him at a public function in 2012 to remember his humanitarian services. The function was held to mark the handing over of the key of the 7007th house built by Fr. Sukol.

        Fr. Sukol was popularly known as ‘Valiyachan.’ He had started his service in Wayanad before moving to Mariyapuram Nithya Sahaya Sabha, near Pariyaram, here where he had been leading a pious life for nearly 40 years. A hartal will be observed at Pariyaram and nearby areas on Wednesday as a mark of respect to the deceased.Father Sukol was born in Italy in 1916 and came to India in 1948. The 98-year-old priest has always worked for the downtrodden to provide houses for the poor. He has built around 7006 houses for the poor.The father started his welfare schemes in Wayanad and has build houses in Madayi, Pazyaangadi, Kuttur, Kotta, Pariyaram, Pattuvam, Mariyapuram, Kannadiparambu , etc.

Prof. John Kurakar