Mathew Anikuzhikattil

Mar

Mathew Anikuzhikattil
First Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Idukki
ChurchSyro-Malabar Catholic Church
ArchdioceseMajor Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly
DioceseEparchy of Idukki
In office2003–2018
PredecessorSeat created
SuccessorMar John Nellikunnel
Orders
Ordination15 March 1971[1]
by Mathew Pothanamuzhi
Consecration2 March 2003[1]
by Varkey Vithayathil Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
RankBishop
Personal details
Born(1942-09-23)23 September 1942
Kunchithanny, India
Died1 May 2020(2020-05-01) (aged 77)
Kolenchery, India

Mathew Anikuzhikattil (23 September 1942 – 1 May 2020) was a Syro-Malabar Catholic bishop who spearheaded anti Kasthurirangan and Gadgil commission protests. He served as bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Idukki, India, from 2003 to 2018.[2]

Life

Anikuzhikattil was born in Kadaplamattom in Kottayam district,[3] although he was raised in Kunchithanny in Idukki district. He was ordained as a priest on 15 March 1971 at his home parish of Holy Family church in Kunchithanny by Mathew Pothanamuzhi.[citation needed]

On 15 January 2003 Pope John Paul II announced the creation of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Idukki with Anikuzhikattil as the first bishop.[citation needed] On 2 March 2003 Anikuzhikattil was consecrated a bishop and the eparchy was inaugurated by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.[citation needed] As priest and bishop he also served as the chairman of the KCBC commission for family, laity and women, and was also the patron of the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS), a people's movement within the Catholic Church in India.[3] He retired in 2018 after reaching the age of 75. On 1 May 2020 Anikuzhikattil died of age-related problems at the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College Hospital, Kolenchery at 1:38 A.M.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Bishop Mathew Anikuzhikattil †". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  2. ^ Syo-Malabar Epachy of Idukki
  3. ^ a b c "Bishop Mathew Anikuzhikattil, first bishop of Idukki eparchy, passes away". Malayala Manorama. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.


Stub icon

This article about a Catholic bishop or archbishop from India is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.