KOTTAYAM: Dr Sam Mathew, former bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese, breathed his last on Saturday at a private hospital at Puthuppally here. He was 80. The bishop was suffering from prolonged illness and was undergoing treatment. The mortal remains have been shifted to the mortuary of a private hospital at Kalathipady. The funeral will be held at CSI Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chalukunnu, at 11 am on Wednesday.
Bishop Sam Mathew, who stepped down from the helm of affairs of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese in 2001, was leading a retirement life at his residence at Manganam near here.
Born to V M Mathai and Mariamma of Valiathottathil house, Kunnida near Adoor on October 8, 1936, Dr Sam graduated from NSS College, Pandalam. Later, he secured BD degree from Bishop’s College, Kolkata. He was ordained a Deacon on June 6, 1965, in Alappuzha and was ordained a Presbyter in April 1, 1966, at Puthuppally.
He became the 11th bishop of Madhya Kerala diocese on September 1, 1993, at the Kottayam Cathedral. He worked for the spiritual renewal of the Church and was an orator, thinker and a writer. He retired after eight years of service on October 8, 2001. Kunjamma Sam, who belongs to Keezhvaipoor Vettasseril family, is his wife. Christy Sam is his son and Santhy S Mathew and Anny S Mathew are his daughters. The bishop had served as the secretary of Nilakkal Ecumenical Trust, executive member of CSI Synod, chief editor of ‘Njananikshepam’ magazine, and a member of the UTC board. He had raised strong voice for the temperance movement of the Church.