Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kollam bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger and Carmelite missionary Fr. Adeodatus were declared as Servants of God at Carmel Hill Monastery on Saturday.
This is the first step towards the canonisation of the late priests. Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archbishop M. Soosapakiam read out the declaration at the monastery church at Pangode. The archbishop was the chief celebrant at the pontifical Mass held on the occasion, 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.
The declaration of Fr. Adeodatus, popularly known as 'Muthiyavila Valiyachan' as Servant of God was made by Neyyattinkara Bishop Vincent Samuel at Neyyattinkara Bishop's House last Saturday. The papal bull that was issued by Pope Francis regarding the elevation was read out by Diocesan Chancellor Fr Jose Raphael that day.
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 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- Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottar.
'Servant of God' is an expression used for a member of the Catholic Church whose life and works are being investigated in consideration for official recognition by the Pope and the Catholic Church as a saint in heaven. The term is used in the first of the four steps in the canonisation process.
