By Matters India Reporter
Kochi: Father Cheriyan Nereveetil, a former editor of Kerala’s leading Church weekly who had donated one of his kidneys to a poor girl, died on May 27 from head injuries sustained in a road accident two weeks ago. He was 49.
The priest died of a massive heart attack at 2 pm at Kochi’s Lakeshore Hospital where he being treated after the May 13 accident.
Father Nereveetil was the parish priest of St Gianna’s Church in Maradu, a southern suburb of Kochi. He was on his usual evening walk near his church when a hospital employee riding a bike hit him.
He was born on June 8, 1971, as the second of three sons of Joseph and Mary Nereveetil, in Edappally, Kochi. He has his minor seminary studies during 1986, 1989), Philosophy at Carmelgiri and Theology in Papal Seminary Pune. He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly on January 1, 1997.
He served as the editor of the Sathyadeepam (light of truth) from 2015 to 2019. The weekly in Malayalam language was founded in 1926. In 2005, it launched an English edition. It deals with religious and sociopolitical issues. It awarded the best Christian publication Media Award from the Goodness (Divine) Channel.
Father Nereveetil has served as the chaplain of the Jesus Youth International Council.
“The Catholic Church has lost a saintly priest, who was a source of succor for many poor people,” reports newsnindia.com, a Kochi-based portal.
According to the portal, Father Nereveetil had avoided all publicity while donating his kidney to a girl student of a school attached to a parish where he was the vicar.
God bless Father Cheriyan’s soul.Rest in peace Father, Amen
May Fr Cheriyan’s soul rest in Eternal Peace. Will miss Father saying Mass in the morning.
Sad to lose such a gem.
Sad loss. Respectful farewell to Father Cheriyan Nereveetil.