First bishop to be laid to rest at Vimalagiri

KOTTAYAM: Bishop Peter Thuruthikonam is the first bishop to be laid to rest at the Vimalagiri Cathedral.During his 18-year tenure as bishop, he had played a significant role in the growth of Vijayapuram diocese.He was born to Thuruthikonam Joseph and Eliamma on August 1, 1929 at Vallamkulam in  Tiruvalla, a year before the diocese was formed.He did his early education from CMS LP School, Tirumoola, Devaswom Board UP school, Putthankavumala, MGM High School, Tiruvalla. Later he joined St Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, to pursue seminary education.He was ordained priest on March 12, 1959.He had served in Thiruvanchoor, Kanchirapara, Vadavathoor and Chengalam churches.He became secretary of bishop Ambrose Abasolo of the diocese in 1966 and was later elevated as Pro-Vicar-General during the period of bishop Cornelius Elanjickal.He was elected administrator of Vijayapuram diocese in 1987.He was appointed bishop on August 4, 1988 and was consecrated at Vimalagiri Cathedral by Archbishop Cornelius Elanjickal.As part of helping the deprived section, he had adopted a plan ‘Servire Deo in Pauperibus’ for their uplift. He was Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Dalit commission chairman and was detained for organising agitation for the uplift of Dalit Christians in front of Parliament. The bishop had worked hard against the injustice meted out to Dalit Christians. He had also served as the CBCI, Kerala Catholic Bishops Coucil (KCBC), SC/ST Commision head. The bishop brought out a bulletin Vijayavani to enable the people to know the developmental activities of the diocese.He worked towards amending the laws to make the functioning of the churches and diocese smooth.