Mathew Anikuzhikattil
Indian Catholic bishop (1942–2020)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Mathew Anikuzhikattil | |
|---|---|
| First Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Idukki | |
| Church | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly |
| Diocese | Eparchy of Idukki |
| In office | 2003–2018 |
| Predecessor | Seat created |
| Successor | Mar John Nellikunnel |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 15 March 1971[1] by Mathew Pothanamuzhi |
| Consecration | 2 March 2003[1] by Varkey Vithayathil Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 September 1942 Kunchithanny, India |
| Died | 1 May 2020 (aged 77) Kolenchery, India |
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]
