Kanjirapally 22 November 2016: Bishop Mar Mathew Vattackuzhy (86), Emeritus of Kanjirapally Syro-Malabar diocese passed away on Tuesday 22 November 2016 at 3pm, at Caritas Hospital, Kottayam. The mortal remains will be placed in St. Dominic’s Cathedral, Kanjirapally at 10.00 am on Wednesday 23 November 2016.The funeral is scheduled for 2.00 pm on Thursday, 24 November 2016 at St. Dominic’s Cathedral, Kanjirapally.
He was born on 20 February 1930 as the second child of Sri. Kuriakose Vattakuzhy and Smt. Rosamma of Chenkal Parish. He had his primary education in Vazhoor St. George U.P.S and high school education in Ponkunnam K.V.M H.S. He joined the minor seminary at Parel, Changanassery in 1947. Major Seminary Studies were in Candi Papal Seminary and Pune from 1949 – 1956. He was ordained priest on 1 June 1956 in Pune. In 1959 he was appointed secretary to Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukattu and Archdiocesan Chancellor. After that he did his higher studies in Pontifical Lateran University Rome and gained Doctorate in Canon Law in 1964. From 1964 to 1973, and 1974 – 1977 he was chancellor in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. In 1977 he was appointed Vicar General and Chancellor of Kanjirapally Diocese.
When Mar Joseph Powathil was became the Archbishop of Changanacherry on 17 January 1986 he was appointed Administrator. He was appointed second bishop of Kanjirapally on 20 December1986 and episcopal ordination was on 26 February 1987. He retired from episcopal ministry on 19 January 2001. His motto as Bishop was “Serve In Love”. He was a priest for 60 years and bishop of 29 years.