Former Alappuzha Bishop passes away

ALAPPUZHA

Rev. Stephen Athipozhiyil, Bishop Emeritus of the Alappuzha diocese, passed away following cardiac arrest at a private hospital at Arthunkal near Cherthala on Saturday night.

He was 77.

The funeral service would be held at Mount Carmel Cathedral, Alappuzha on Tuesday at 10.30 a.m. His body would be kept at the cathedral on Monday from 1 p.m. for the public to pay their homage, said a statement issued by Fr. Xavier Kudiamssery, public relations officer, Diocese of Alappuzha.

Athipozhiyil had always stood up for the rights of coastal communities and marginalised people. Born on May 18, 1944, at Chennaveli, he was ordained priest by Bishop Michael Arattukulam on October 5, 1969. He served as prefect of the diocesan minor seminary. In 1971, he became parish priest at St. Xavier's Church, Omanapuzha.

After earning a master's degree in philosophy from University College, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1982, he was appointed rector of the minor seminary and manager of Leo XIII High School. He worked as a teaching staff at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. Prior to becoming the Bishop, he had served the Diocese of Alappuzha as a consultor and director of its social service society.

Athipozhiyil was appointed coadjutor Bishop with right of succession on December 9, 2000, at the age of 56. He was ordained Bishop on February 11, 2001. He succeeded Bishop Peter M. Chenaparampil on December 9, 2001, as Bishop of Alappuzha.

He retired from active episcopal ministry on October 11, 2019.