Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikkal laid to rest

KOCHI: The late Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikkal was laid to rest in a specially prepared crypt at the St Francis Assissi Cathedral here on Tuesday.In the funeral held with full state honours, people flocked from across the country to bid  an emotional adieu to their late Archbishop. The mortal remains of the prelate was taken to the St Albert’s  Higher Secondary School Ground in the morning for the people to pay their last respects.The Archbishop of Ranchi, Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, led the last funeral service. All the metropolitans and bishops under the Roman Catholic Church assisted the Cardinal in the funeral service.‘’Archbishop Elanjikkal was a person who has deeply delved into the Indian philosophy and beautifully intertwined it with the Christian thought. He was a good shepherd of everyone irrespective of the creed,” said Major Archbishop Mar George Alancherry in his memorial oration. Mar Baselios Cleemis said: “The final journey of Archbishop has begun.” Archbishop Soosapakiam observed that the late Archbishop was a man who had a deep knowledge of God, man and life.”Archbishop Andrews Thazhath said that Archbishop Elanjikkal was a man who was always close to God as well as to fellow human beings. ‘’He had an indepth knowledge of Indian philosophy which made him a champion of the poor and the needy alike’’.Revenue Minister K M Mani, Excise Minister K Babu, Ludy Louis MLA, Hibi Eden MLA, Dominic Presentation MLA and Mayor Tony Chammani also took part in the funeral service.