By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Sept 7, 2020: Apostolic Nuncio to Japan Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, an Indian, died September 7 in Tokyo following a heart attack. He was 76.
The death occurred at 1:30 pm Japan time (8 am Indian time).
The Syro-Malabar prelate from Kerala, southern India, was reportedly recuperating after a stroke some time back.
His funeral details are yet announced.
Archbishop Chennoth was the apostolic nuncio to Japan since 2011.
Archbishop Chennoth was born on October 13, 1943, as one of the six sons and two daughters of Joseph and Mariakutty of Kokkamangalam Chennoth family in Cherthala, Alapuzha district.
He joined seminary in 1960 and did his philosophy studies at Alwaye Major Seminary. Joseph Parecattil, the then archbishop of Ernakulam, sent him for higher studies in Urbaniana Pontifical University, Rome.
He was ordained priest on May 4, 1969, in Austria. He returned to Rome to do doctorate in Canon Law.
Archbishop also studied Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish that helped him as a Vatican diplomat. He was credited with teaching Pope John II Malayalam during the pontiff’s first India visit in February 1986. He had accompanied the Pope during his ten-day visit starting from New Delhi.
Chennoth’s first served as a Vatican diplomat in Turkey for three years and two years in the Vatican Curia before going to Belgium, Luxembourg and European Union for three years. He became a counselor in the nunciature in Spain in 1990. After three years, he served as counselor in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland until 1995.
He was made a nuncio while serving the Vatican embassy in Taiwan from 1995 to 1999. He then went to the African countries of Central African Republic, Chad and Tanzania.
May his soul rest in peace,we remember you from Tanzania
Wonderful to read about him. May his soul rest in peace
Bishop Joseph was very gentle I remember when I was going to Rome for the first time I went to get a letter from him he asked if I knew Italian I said no he taught me few words in Italian language. I wrote in my note book.
Rest In Peace.
May Almighty God award him in the paradise
Amen
May His faithful soul rest in Peace.
Respectful farewell to Archbishop Joseph Chennoth. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.
I remember him serving in Tanzania and came to my diocese insisted much on significance of having a seminary for raising properly diocesan clergy
Rest In Peace. Tanzania appreciates your Holy service. Amen.
Bishop Joseph was so sensitive and respectful to people of other religions when we met in Kamakura at an informal inter-religious dialogue encounter with Shinto priests.