Adeodatus, Benziger to be consecrated Servants of God

Thiruvananthapuram: Carmelite missionary Father Adeodatus, popularly known as ‘Muthiyavila Valiyachan,’ and former Kollam bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger will be elevated as Servants of God on October 20. This is the first step towards the canonisation of the late priests.

Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archbishop M. Soosapakiam will read out the declaration at the Carmel Hill Monastery Church at Pangode at 4.30 p.m. The archbishop will be the chief celebrant at the pontifical mass, with the co-celebrants consisting of Neyyattinkara bishop Vincent Samuel, Kollam bishop Paul Antony Mullassery, Punalur bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan,  Kottar bishop Nazarene Soosai and Kuzhithurai bishop Jerome Dhas Varuvel.

Father Adeodatus is remembered for his long-distance travel between parishes in Kattakkada by foot leading prayers at the parishes at Thoongampara, Kallikkad, Thekkupara, Chettikunnu, Kandamthitta, Vavodu, Mukunthara, Kuruthamkodu, Chembanakodu, Mayam, Amboori and Kulavupara. He did this while staying at a parsonage at Muthiyavila.

He died following complaints of uneasiness while he was cycling towards a church at Kuruthamkodu for Holy Mass on October 20, 1968. The walking stick, utensils, cycle, wooden bed and recliner of Fr Adeodatus have been preserved at the St. Albert’s Church at Muthiyavila, Kattakada.

Bishop Benziger was a Carmelite from Flanders province, Belgium, who was ordained bishop in 1900 and from 1905 to1931 was the bishop of Kollam.

Bishop Benziger proposed the division of the diocese of Kollam into three parts- Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottar.