Bangalore 30 March 2022 (CCBI): Most Rev. Mathew Cheriankunnel (92), P.I.M.E, Bishop Emeritus of Kurnool diocese, Andhra Pradesh passes away on 30 March, 2022 at PIME House Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.
Funeral Holy Mass will be celebrated on 1 April, 2022 at Amalodbhavi Matha Cathedral, Eluru at 10.30am by Most Rev. Jaya Rao Polimera, Bishop of Eluru. His mortal remains will be taken to Gunadala in Vijayawada diocese and will be buried in Lourdes Matha shrine cemetery at Gunadala. The funeral rites will be officiated by Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop of Vizhakapattanam.
Bishop Mathew Cheriankunnel was born on 15 August 1930 to Mr. George and Elizabeth at Kadayanikad, village, St Mary’s Church of archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala, India. He was baptized in his own parish on 23 August 1930. After his schooling in his home village, he joined diocese of Vijayawada. He did his seminary studies at Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai, Tamilnadu and ordained priest on 28 April 1962.
After his priestly ordination he was appointed as assistant parish priest at Machalipatanam. Then he was appointed as assistant parish Priest of Kamavarapukota from 1964to 1965. In 1965 he became parish Priest of Kamavarapukota. He entered PIME on 3 May 1969 and made final promise on 3 December 1970. While staying in the PIME Generalate, Rome, he took Licentiate in Missiology. In 1971 he came back to the diocese of Vijayawada and was appointed as parish Priest of Mylavaram.
He was made the first bishop of Nalgonda in 1977 at the age of 45. His episcopal ordination took place on 3 May 1977 at Gunadala, Vijayawada. He was transferred Kurnool diocese in 1987 and appointed as co-adjutor Bishop of Kurnool and succeeded Bishop of Kurnool in 1988. He was retired from the active episcopal ministry on 16 July 1991.
After his retirement he was serving at Lady of Velankanni parish, Irla, Mumbai, for one year. In the year 1992 when the queen of Apostles Seminary was opened in Eluru, he worked there as spiritual director. From 2002 to 2003 he was pro- rector in the same seminary. Then, he opted for the mission of Badrachalam and when the Badrachalam parish was given to the diocese of Khamamm, Bishop Mathew came to PIME Regional House, Eluru in 2006. From that time on he has been residing at the PIME regional house, Eluru. He is a priest for 59 years and a Bishop for 44 years.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI