Kochi, Friday, April 01, 2011: Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil passed away at Lisie hospital in Ernakulam today. He was 84.

He was ailing for some period due to heart disease. He is serving as Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly and head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He is also a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.