Retired Bishop George Anathil of Indore passes away

(May 4, 2009) We regret to announce that retired Indian bishop George Anathil of Indore has passed away. The 76-year old Divine Word bishop died on Saturday evening after a prolonged illness. His funeral was scheduled for Monday in Indore. Bishop Anathil was born on June 28, 1932, in Athirampuzha, in southern India’s Kerala state. He was ordained a priest of the Society of the Divine Word in 1959. In December, 1972, he was appointed Bishop of Indore. He remained the pastor of the diocese for 35 years before retiring in October last year. Pope Benedict XVI transferred Bishop Chako Thottumarickal of Jhabua to Indore last October to take over from Bishop George Anathil.