KOCHI: Former bishop of Vijayapuram Diocese Peter Thuruthikonam, 82, passed away at a private hospital here on Monday. He was admitted to the hospital three days ago. However, his condition worsened on Sunday night and he breathed his last around 6 50 a.m. on Monday following heart failure. Bishop Thuruthikonam, who was relieved of administrative responsibilities of the diocese in 2006, was leading a retired life for the past five years. His body was taken to Vijayapuram Bishop House in Kottayam by 12 noon on Monday. The funeral will be held at Vimalagiri Cathedral Church, Kottayam, at 3 p.m on Tuesday. Born on August 1, 1929, at Tiruvalla, Peter Thuruthikonam was ordained priest on March 12, 1959. He was appointed Bishop of Vijayapuram on May 5, 1988. His episcopal ordination was on August 4, 1988. KCBC Mourns BishopBishop Peter Thuruthikonam was a social reformer who always struggled for the rights of the Dalit Christians in the country, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) observed. Bishop Thurithikonam had also served as the chairman of the Commission for Dalit of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.He was a religious leader who worked for the spiritual, educational, economical and social advancement of the faithful under the Vijayapuram diocese, spread across Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. He continued to work towards this even after he was relieved of administrative responsibilities, said KCBC president Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath.“He fulfilled the duty of leading the faithful of Vijasyapuram Diocese for 18 years. His demise is a loss to the church and society,” KCBC vice-president Archbishop Francis Kallarakkal and general secretary Thomas Mar Kurilose said in a joint statement.
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