Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil Passes away.
April 1st, 2011
Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, died at Cochi on Friday, April 1st. He was 84.
Church spokesperson Father Paul Thelekkat said the cardinal fell down unconscious at 10 a.m. while conducting the mass.
"He was rushed to a hospital. Despite the doctors' best efforts, he breathed his last at 2 p.m.," said Thelekkat.
"Since all our bishops are away meeting the Pope, which happens once in five years, the body would be kept in the mortuary. The date of the funeral will be announced later," added Thelekkat.
A hugely respected bishop, Vithayathil was ordained as a priest in 1954. Pope John Paul II nominated him as a member of the college of cardinals Jan 21, 2001.
