Imphal: Most Rev. Joseph Mittathany, Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal, passed away on Monday at CMC Hospital, Koirengei at 9.55 am due to a chest infection and prolonged illness. He was 91.
Born in Kalikavu in Kerala’s Kottayam city on July 12, 1931, Mittathany became the first Bishop of Imphal Diocese in 1980.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Thursday 14 July 2022 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Imphal.
Mittathany was ordained as a Priest on April 23, 1959. He served as a Priest for 63 years and 53 years as a Bishop.
After serving for 27 years as an Archbishop, he retired on July 12, 2006, at Retreat House in Imphal. Mittathany also holds the office of the North East Bishops’ Conference as the president from 1996-2006.
Most Rev Mittathany was known for his love for the people of Manipur, especially in the field of education and medicine.
During his tenure as the Archbishop of Imphal, the educational institutions in Manipur run by the Catholic missionaries were instrumental in producing many bureaucrats and intellectuals from the state.