KOCHI: Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, the supreme head of the Archdiocese of Verapoly that represents the Latin churches, died Monday at a private hospital here, church officials said. He was 70.
According to Latin church sources, Acharuparambil was admitted to hospital last week following liver complaints. The funeral will take place Wednesday at 3.30 p.m.
Acharuparambil was president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC).
Born on May 12, 1939 at Vypeen near here, Acharuparambil was ordained as a priest on March 14, 1966.
He was elevated as a bishop and became the Archbishop of Verapoly Nov 3, 1996.
Acharuparambil taught in various theological institutes in Rome for more than two decades before taking charge as the head of the Verapoly diocese. He held a doctorate in Indian philosophy.
Acharuparambil, who was Archbishop of Verapoly, was a member of Discalced Carmelite Order, Manjummel Province.
He was born to Rocky and Monica Acharuparambil in Palliport on May 12, 1939.
He joined the Carmelite order at Ernakulam in May 1956 and completed his philosophy and theology courses at St. Josephs Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained priest on March 14, 1966.
He was nominated Archbishop on August 5, 1996 and was consecrated at Ernakulam on November 3, 1996 by His Eminence Josef Cardinal Tomko, the then Prefect of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Rome.
