Mathew Anikuzhikattil

Anikuzhikattil was born in Kadaplamattom in Kottayam district,[3] although he was raised in Kunchithanny in Idukki district. He was ordained as a priest on 15 March 1971 at his home parish of Holy Family church in Kunchithanny by Mathew Pothanamuzhi. On 15 January 2003 Pope John Paul II announced the creation of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Idukki with Anikuzhikattil as the first bishop. On 2 March 2003 Anikuzhikattil was consecrated a bishop and the eparchy was inaugurated by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil C.Ss.R. As priest and bishop he also served as the chairman of the KCBC commission for family, laity and women, and was also the patron of the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS), a people's movement within the Catholic Church in India.[3] As normal, he retired in 2018 after reaching the age of 75. On 1 May 2020 Anikuzhikattil died of age-related problems at the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College Hospital, Kolenchery at 1:38 A.M.[3] Anikuzhikattil will also remembered for the role he played in instigating the common people against the Madhav Gadgil committee and Kasturirangan reports. He preached venom like most of the catholic bishops around the world do. The repeated floods and landslides in Kerala are a testimony of the great services such shepherds of people do.