Joseph Mar Thoma, head of Kerala’s Malankara Mar Thoma Church, passes away at 89
Metropolitan was well known for his work for the poor and marginalized
Pathanamthitta: Much loved and widely respected metropolitan of Kerala’s Mar Thoma Church, Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan passed away in Pathanamthitta in the early hours of Sunday morning. The 89-year-old Metropolitan had been under treatment at a private medical college hospital.
Joseph Mar Thoma who was designated Suffragan Metropolitan in 1999, took over as Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church in 2007 as successor to Philipose Mar Chrysostom who decided to remit the office of Metropolitan on health grounds.
Joseph Mar Thoma was born in 1931, and was officially P.T. Joeph. He joined the church as a priest in 1957.
The last rites of the Metropolitan, which will be conducted with full state honours, is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Joseph Mar Thoma was particularly well known for his work for the poor and marginalized, especially the differently abled and transgender people.
In recent times, his best-known initiatives included the project to construct 100 houses for those affected by the devastating floods in Kerala in 2018, and also for enabling women to participate in the night sessions of the famous annual Maramom Convention.