By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram
Archbishop Dr Cornelius Elanjikal, known for his tremendous contributions to the Malayalam church music, died yesterday aged 93.Church sources said the end came at 7.30am in the Lourdes Hospital in Kochi where he was admitted on Friday. The archbishop was indisposed for sometime and was undergoing treatment for lung infection.He was the archbishop of Verapoly Archdiocese from 1987 until his resignation in 1996 making way for Dr Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, who died two years back. He had also served as the President of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC).The archbishop had written some 500 devotional songs which are widely in use for worship services across Kerala and the Keralite churches elsewhere. His deep knowledge in Hindu philosophy and Vedas are also widely acknowledged. The author of ten books, he had PhDs in philosophy, canon law and the Hindu Upanishads. He initiated several welfare programs for the Dalits and the downtrodden living in the coastal areas of the region. He’s living in the special home of the archdiocese at Chembumukku in Kochi. Several leaders, including Defence Minister A K Antony and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy expressed grief over the death of the archbishop. “He may be no more but his songs will linger on for many more years in our homes and places of worship,” said federal food minister Prof K V Thomas.His body will lay in state at St Francis Cathedral and later at St Alberts College for the public to pay their last respects before taken back to the cathedral for funeral services at 3pm. The mortal remains will be interred at the church’s cemetery.Elanjikal was born to Kunjuvira and Thresya on September 8, 1918, at Kara near Kodungalloor and was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church after his studies on March 18, 1945. He was appointed to the Diocese of Vijayapuram on January 16, 1971, and was ordained a bishop on April 4, 1971. Elanjikal was appointed to the Diocese of Verapoly on January 26, 1987 and retired on June 14, 1996.