Kochi: The body of the late Archbishop Mar Joseph Chennoth (76), Apostolic Nuncio of Japan, will be brought to Kochi on the 21st. The body will be flown to Kochi International Airport from Tokyo via Dubai at 9.30 am, said Fr. Thomas Perepadan.
The Vatican will be responsible for transporting the body to Kochi Airport. The body will be received by the family members at the airport and will be placed for public viewing at St. Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam, the Archdiocese’s Cathedral. He will then be taken to his native Kokamangalam. The body will be brought to Kokamangalam Church after an hour-long public viewing at the Archbishop’s residence.
Funeral services will be held in the afternoon with the Holy Mass following the COVID 19 standards. A special grave will be constructed inside the church for burial, Perepadan informed. Mar Chennoth, who was undergoing treatment for paralysis on May 8, passed away on September 7. The body is being kept at the Church Mission Hospital in Tokyo.
