Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur died while on a visit to New Delhi April 19, said a communique from Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI). He was 75.
Archbishop Abraham came to New Delhi to join the Hindi Region Bishops’ Council annual meeting, hosted by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto. He was accommodated at the CBCI center close to the Delhi Archbishop’s house.
Archbishop Abraham had planned to catch an April 19 early flight to Nagpur, as there was some urgent matter to be attended to. The night watchman was asked to wake him up around 4.30 a.m.
When the watchman did not succeed to get any response from Archbishop Abraham, he went and opened the unlocked room and found Archbishop Abraham lying in his bed motionless, the communique said.
The CBCI officials were informed and the body was immediately taken to Holy Family Hospital, where death at early morning hours (between 12 mid night and 1 a.m.) was confirmed.
The body was flown to Nagpur at night and funeral will be held at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Nagpur April 23.
Archbishop Viruthakulangara was born on June 5, 1943 in Kerala and ordained a priest on October 28, 1969.
He began serving as parish priest and District Superior of Sendhwa Parish of Khargon, Madhya Pradesh.
He became a bishop at the very early age of 34, when named bishop of Khandwa diocese in 1977.
After two decades in1998, he took charge as Metropolitan Archbishop of Nagpur.
Solidarity with Asifa and Unnao Victim of rape and murder
The Vikhroli unit of the Bombay Catholic Sabha had organised Solidarity Meeting with Candle light protest to demand justice and tougher deterrent laws for purpetors of crimes of rapes and brutal torture and murder of innocent children.
In attendance were Rita D'sa - President The Bombay Catholic Sabha; Mr Dolphy D'souza Ex President - The Bombay Catholic Sabha and Convenor - Police Reforms Watch Spokesperson Save our Land (SOUL); Robert D'souza Vice President the Bombay Catholic Sabha; Vinod Noronha Ex General Secretary the Bombay Catholic Sabha; Anthony Dias Jt. General Secretary The Bombay Catholic Sabha; Bona Misquitta Thane Deanery councillor, Ivan Lemos Exec. Committe member, neighboring units Chairpersons Mohan Sequeira, Walnes Rego and our main speaker Aileen Marques Advocate Bombay High Court , Ms. Manisha Rahate Corporator, Prashant Das along with a number of important dignitaries and representatives from various units of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, woman's cell and other Church associations.
More than 500 people attended to show their Solidarity and seek tougher laws to deter rapes and crimes against children. The Speaker's spoke extensively on stricter laws and stringent punishment by fast courts to the guilty. The general public exhibited a low tolerance towards crimes against minors and are not ready for any nonsense. Though it was a busy working Monday the crowd was a good mix of children, youth, working people and senior citizens.
