Kerala Latin Catholic church head passes away

President of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) and Archbishop of Varappuzha, Dr Daniel Acharuparambil, passed away at a private hospital in Kochi on Oct. 26.

Archbishop Acharuparampil suffered multiple organ failure and was admitted at the Lourdes Hospital three days ago after he complained of stomach pain.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 3.30 pm at the St Francis Aussisi Cathedral, Verapoly Archdiocese.

The late archbishop was a member of Discalced Carmelite Order, Manjummel Province. He was born in Palliport, in Kerala, on May 12, 1939.

The head of about 5.5 million Catholics from the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites in Kerala, Acharuparambil taught in various theological institutes in Rome for more than two decades before taking charge the Verapoly diocese.

He has also penned several books on Hindu philosophy and religion. He held a doctorate in Indian philosophy.

Among many personalities who paid tribute to the archbishop was Chief Minister of Kerala V.S. Achuthanandan.

In his condolence message, the chief minister said Dr. Acharuparambil had always strived for consensus on social issues through pro-active intervention.

Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas on this occasion said that Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil's death was a great loss to the community and the people of Kerala.

"He has been the supreme head of Varapurzha and Latin hierarchy in Kerala and always
did his work with all his responsibilities which bought the latin community to a long way, I personal feel very sad in his demise," Thomas said in Kochi.