By Juhan Samuel

Kochi, Oct.26 (ANI): Head of Latin Catholics Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil breathed his last here on Monday morning, having spent last three days in the intensive care unit of a private hospital near Kochi. He was 70.

He had been admitted to the hospital with high fever and suffered multiple organ failure.

Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil’s death was heartbreaking news for hundreds and thousands of Christian devotees and members of other communities in Kerala, as was not only dear to Christian community but to Hindus and Muslims as well because of his approach towards society.

Despite being a Christian clergy he has penned many Hindu spirituality and other religion books.

Acharuparambil was President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC).

Various people from different socio cultural representatives converged at the hospital to see him for the last time.

Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas on this occasion said that Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil’s death was a great loss to the community and the people of Kerala.

“He has been the supreme head of Varapurzha and Latin hierarchy in Kerala and always did his work with all his responsibilities which bought the latin community to a long way, I personal feel very sad in his demise” said Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas in Kochi.

Born to Rocky and Monica Acharuparambil in Palliport on May 12, 1939, Acharuparambil was ordained as a priest on March 14, 1966. He was elevated as a bishop and became the Archbishop of Verapoly in 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 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 known as a scholar who delved deep into Hindu spirituality and wrote several books on the subject, including “Hindu Mysticism and Spirituality” and The Destiny of Man in the Evolutionary Thought of Sree Aurobindo.”

The funeral will take place Wednesday at 3.30 p.m. in which chief clergies from different parts will participate including a representative from Vatican in Rome, said an official spokesperson in Kochi. (ANI)