Tributes paid to late Kerala Metropolitan, Mar Theophilus

Thiruvananthapuram: Tributes and condolences poured in from different quarters on Monday following the demise of Zacharias Mar Theophilus, Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thomas Syrian Church who died on Sunday.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Council of India, said the late Metropolitan had made significant contributions to the unification of churches besides acting as a voice that raised important issues in society.

The Metropolitan had suffered cerebral hemorrhage while returning to Kerala from Muscat by flight. He was rushed to a private hospital from the airport, but passed away on Sunday evening.

The 77-year-old Metropolitan was ordained as a deacon in 1966, and consecrated as a bishop in 1980. He was elevated as a Suffragan Metropolitan in 2004, and from 2005 he headed the Chengannur-Mavelikkara dicocese of the Mar Thoma Church.

He was also an executive committee member of the Christian Conference of Asia as well as a central committee member of the World Council of Churches. The Latin Archdioese of Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Soosai Pakiam mourned the Metropolitan’s death and said Mar Theophilus had always strived for compassion, and focused on care for the needy.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy was among those who mourned the passing away of the Metropolitan. The chief minister recollected the close ties that the Metropolitan had maintained with leaders of all religions.

The funeral is expected to take place on Tuesday.