Geevarghese Mar Divannasios Ottathengil, Bishop Emeritus of Puthoor Diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, passed away on 16 January, 2018. He was 67.
The funeral will be held at 2pm on Thursday, 18 January, 2018 St. John’s Cathedral, Thiruvalla, Kerala.
Dr Divannasios was born near Thiruvalla in Kerala. After finishing school, he started his seminary formation in 1966 at Infant Mary Minor Seminary in the Eparchy of Thiruvalla. Having completed his priestly formation he was ordained a priest on 20 April 1978 by Benedict Mar Gregorios.
In 1980 he was sent to Rome for higher studies where he completed his PhD in spiritual theology. After his doctoral studies, he returned to Bathery in 1987 and was appointed vicar of Palanthadom parish in the district of Kasargod. In the same year he took charge as the Rector of the minor seminary in the Eparchy of Bathery, and also served as the vicar of the cathedral parish.
He was appointed the Rector of the Major Seminary of the Malankara Catholic Church in May 1990, which was in its early stages. The seminary underwent immense developments during his seven-year tenure as rector.
On 18 December 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed Varghese Ottathengil as the Bishop of Bathery, after Cyril Mar Baselios. He was consecrated a bishop on 5 February 1996 at Bathery by Cyril Mar Baselios and received the name Geevarghese Mar Divannasios. His sacerdotal Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 2003. He was also the Administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church for a short period after the demise of Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos.
On 25 January 2010, he was appointed as first Bishop of the newly erected Eparchy of Puttur. He resigned at the age of 66 on account of health issues on 24 January 2017 and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kerala.
Dr Divannasios was a trained musician. During his seminary years he developed an interest in Karnatic music and spent time learning it. Dr Divannasios was also a good writer and had published a short story collection. He was fluent in Kannada and Tulu and was a good orator . Known for his love of the poor and downtrodden, he was liked by people of all faiths.