In Memoriam Archbishop Joseph Powathil

The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity was saddened to learn of the death, on 18 March, of His Grace Joseph Powathil, Archbishop Emeritus of the Changanacherry Syro-Malabar Archeparchy.

Among the many merits of Mar Powathil’s long and dedicated service to the Church, special mention should be made of his substantial contribution to the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Churches in Kerala.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, together with Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary, addressed a letter of condolence to His Beatitude Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.

On 11 January 2020, on the occasion of Archbishop Joseph Powathil’s 90th Birthday, Cardinal Kurt Koch had sent a message as a contribution to a commemorative volume.

_{Photo: Archbishop Powathil during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI © Servizio Fotografico | Vatican Media}