Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church, Rahpael Cheenath (file photo)Mumbai: Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church, Rahpael Cheenath passed away here on Sunday. He was 82. He was the archbishop of Cuttak-Bhubaneshwar diocese.
The bishop had shot to limelight and gained national attention after leading vehement protests against attack on Christians in Kandhamal, Odisha in 2008.
Cheenath was ordained as priest of the Society of Divine World (SVD) at Pune Papal Seminary in 1963.
He was appointed as metropolitan of Sambalpur diocese on February 28, 1974. He became the archbishop of Cuttak-Bhubaneshwar on July 1, 1985 during his tenure as the bishop in Sambalpur. Cheenath had resigned from the bishop's post in 2011 and of late, was leading a retired life.
The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church here at 3 pm on Wednesday.
