Pope’s sorrow over death of Indian Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil

(April 01, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed deep sorrow on learning about the death of Indian Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the head of the eastern rite Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, based in southern India’s Kerala state. The 83-year old Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly died of cardiac arrest on Friday afternoon in a private hospital in Ernakulam, Kerala. In a message to Curial Bishop Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam-Angamaly, the Holy Father offered the Syro-Malabar Catholics his deepest condolences and the assurance of his prayers. He gratefully recalled gratitude the Cardinal’s dedication and service to the Syro-Malabars and to the universal Church. Born on May 29, 1927, Cardinal Vithayathil was ordained a priest for the Redemptorist order in 1954 and for 25 years taught at the Redemptorist seminary in Bangalore. Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly in November 1996, he was ordained Bishop two months later. In December 1999, he was appointed Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, i.e. the head of Syro-Malabar Catholics. Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of Cardinal in 2001. Cardinal Vithayathil served as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) from 2008 to 2010. Currently, Syro-Malabar bishops are on their official ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome. The late Cardinal was unable to join them for health reasons.
Here is the text of the condolence message of Pope Benedict XVI:

The Right Reverend Mar Bosco Puthur
Major Archeparchial Curia
Kakkanad

 
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.

 
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI