Thevarparambil Kunjachan beatified

Augustine Theverparambil was beatified at a solemn ceremony at St Augustine Forane Church at Ramapuram.

Augustine Theverparambil, popularly known as Thevarparambil Kunjachan, was beatified at a solemn ceremony at St Augustine Forane Church at Ramapuram near Kottayam.

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Kunjachan is the fourth person from Syro-Malabar Church to be elevated to one order preceding sainthood.

The others so elevated were Alphonsa Pala, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mariam Teresa.

The beatification ceremony, held on Sunday, began with a welcome speech by Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala and was followed by holy mass.

Around 50 bishops, led by Cardinal Toppo, President of Catholic Bishops Council of India, were present when the Papal decree elevating Kunjachan as blessed was read. A portait of Kunjachan was unveiled and his relics were placed for obeisance.

Later, a procession carrying the idol of beatified Kunjachan was taken out to mark the conclusion of the ceremony.