By Matters India Reporter

Bhadravathi, September 11, 2020: The vicar general of Bhadravathi diocese in Karnataka state died of heart attack, four days after he tested negative for Covid-19. He was 54.

Father Kuriakose (Shaji) Mundaplackal, a priest of Tellicherry archdiocese, was admitted in Muller Medical College Hospital Mangaluru on August 17 after being tested Covid 19 positive on the same day.

The funeral service took place at 5 pm on September 11 at St. Mary’s Church, Konnakkad in the Tellicherry Archdiocese, Kerala.

Father Mundaplackal and four others from Bhadravathi pastoral center were tested positive for Covid 19. While others have recovered and are ready to get back to their work, noted Bishop Joseph Arumachadathu at the funeral introduction.

Father Mundaplackal had recovered from all complications but his lungs were affected by the infection, said Bishop Arumachadathu. The prelate spent 45 minutes with Father Mundaplackal on September 4 in the hospital and heard his confession.

“He was completely prepared for his eternal journey,” the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament prelate said during the introductory speech for the funeral.

A message from Father Thomas Thengumpally, chancellor of Tellicherry archdiocese, urged people not to attend the funeral at the parish cemetery due to safety reason, but to arrange memorial Mass in institutions and parishes where Father Mundaplackal had served.

“Father Mundaplackal was a very warm-hearted person, keeping a relationship with everyone with whom once connected. He was a simple and humble person with a smile always on the face,” Carmelite Father Mathew Chandrankunnel, director of Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bengaluru, told Matters India.

Both Bishop Arumachadath and Father Chandrankunnel were contemporary students at Catholic University in Belgium’s Leuven when Father Mundaplackal did his Master’s and doctorate in Moral Theology there.

He was on born on November 2, 1966, at Konnakkad village in Kasargod district, Kerala. After priestly training at St Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Thalassery, and St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye, he was ordained a priest on December 26, 1992.

Father Mundaplackal served as Bhadravathi vicar general from May 2019. He had served as vicar at St. Mary’s Church, Udayagiri (2015 to 2019) and St. Marys Church, Panathur (2012 to 2015).

He taught moral theology at Good Shepherd Major Seminary of the Syro-Malabar Church, Kunnoth, Iritty in Kerala’s Kannur district.

“We had a lot of dreams and plans about the diocese, but Father Mundaplackal has left us. I am sure that he will intercede for us in heaven,” Bishop Arumachadathu added.

The diocese of Bhadravathi was erected on August 21, 2007, by the Syro-Malabar Church Synod with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, bifurcating it from Mananthavady diocese in Kerala.

The territory of Bhadravathi diocese covers the civil districts of Shimoga and Chickmagalur in Karnataka state.