Trichur: Bishop Emeritus Joseph Pastor Neelankavil of Sagar Syro Malabar diocese in Madhya Pradesh passed away on February 17, at 6.45 am at Yesu Bhavan, Kuttoor in Trichur district. Kerala. He was 90.
He was born at Aranatattukara in Thrissur district on March 19, 1930. He received the religious habit at Ampazhakad on October 15, 1950, and assumed the new name ‘Pastor.’ On October 15, 1951, he made his First Profession.
He had his ecclesiastical studies of humanities in Mannanam, Kunammavu and Chethipuzha. He studied Philosophy in the Papal Atheneum Pune. From 1957 to 1960 he studied theology at Dharmaram College, Bangalore.
On May 17, 1960, he was ordained a priest in the Dharmaram Chapel by Cardinal Joseph Parecattil. His first assignment was as Assistant Director of Social Apostolate in the present Archdiocese of Thrissur. He was also the director of Catholic Labour Association.
In 1963, he went to Rome for higher studies in pastoral Sociology and Canon Law. He has a diploma in Pastoral Sociology from the Institute of Sociology, Rome and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Lateran University.
While he was the General Mission Councillor, he was appointed by Pope St. John Paul II as the second Bishop of Sagar on December 22, 1986. He was ordained bishop on February 22, 1987. He served the diocese for nineteen years.
After his retirement he went to live in Yesu Bhavan, Sagar Mission Home, Kuttoor, Trichur district, Kerala. He is a priest for 60 years and bishop for 33 years.
Funeral details are awaited.
Respectful farewell to Bishop Emeritus Joseph Pastor Neelankavil. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.