Pope and Indian Church mourn
passing of Syro-Malabar cardinal
April 1, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI has sent a telegram of condolences to the Syro-Malabar Church in India on news of the sudden death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. He was 84. The Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church are currently in Rome on their Ad Limina pilgrimage.
Addressed to Bishop Bosco Puthur, the Pope wrote:
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. I offer you, the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the entire Syro-Malabar Church my deepest condolences and the assurance of my prayers.
I recall with gratitude the Cardinal’s dedication and service to the Syro-Malabars and to the universal Church. I join you and all who mourn him, including the members of the late Cardinal’s family, in commending his soul to the infinite mercy of God our loving Father.
To all assembled for the solemn funeral liturgy, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord.
Left photo: The late cardinal presides at the beatification of Blessed Kunjachan in 2006. India's first woman saint, Alphonsa, canonized in 2009 by Benedict XVI, belonged to the Syro-Malabar Church.
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil was appointed as the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam- Angamaly Archdiocese as well as the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in 1997.
He was elevated to the status of Cardinal in 2001 and in that capacity he also participated in the election of the Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
A statement from teh Catholic Bishops' Conference of India said:
During his relatively short tenure of leadership of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil led the Church through turbulent times with fortitude and foresight.
Cardinal Vithayathil always witnessed to a preferential love for the poor and disadvantaged in society; and he spoke up for them in every forum.
The hallmark of Cardinal Vithayathil’s personality was his simplicity; he could easily identify himself with the high and the lowly with ease.
But at the same time his lofty ideals always made him stand out among the Church leaders; he took strong and clear positions on several religious, social and even political issues that constantly challenged the Church in India.
His death has created a vacuum in the Indian Church and this void will not be easily filled up. At this hour of grief, we pray that the Lord may give courage to all his near and dear ones to bear this immense loss and continue to cherish the hallowed memory of his worthy leadership in the Church.
The College of Cardinals now counts with 200 members, 116 electors and 84 non electors.
Additional info:
The Syro-Malabar Church is an Apostolic Church which traces its origin to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who, according to Tradition, landed at Cranganore in 52 AD, and founded seven Christian communities in India (in the region that is now Kerala state).
It is one of the 22 sui iuris Oriental Churches in Catholic Communion with its own particular characteristics expressed in worship, spirituality, theology and disciplinary laws.
At present, it has five Archdioceses and 13 eparchies within the territory of the Major Archiepiscopal Church, and 11 eparchies outside in other parts of India, as well as the St. Thomas Eparchy of
There are 36,74,115 faithful, with 7,252 priests (3,716 diocesan and 4,740 religious), and 36,611 women religious
The news item I earlier posted in my almanac entry for today:
Syro-Malabar cardinal, 84,
passes away
Kochi, India, Apr.1 (ANI) - The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic church, Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, passed away at Kochi's Lisi Hospital on Friday afternoon. He was 84 and was ailing for some time from heart disease.
He was the serving Major Archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly region and a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II nominated Mar Varkey Vithayathil a member of the College of Cardinals on January 21, 2001.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 07/04/2011 17:10]