The Sudden Demise of Archbishop Cariattil and Its Impact on Reunion Efforts

After prolonged delays in Lisbon, Archbishop Joseph Cariattil and his companion, Fr. Thomas Paremmakkal, began their return voyage to India on April 23, 1785, aboard a Portuguese ship. Their journey was marked by a significant stopover in Bahia, Brazil, where they spent an extended period. The ship then sailed around the island of Sri Lanka before arriving on the Malabar Coast in early April 1786. However, instead of proceeding directly to Kerala, Archbishop Cariattil and Paremmakkal were required to travel to Goa. They arrived in Goa on May 1, 1786, where they remained for more than four months.ⁱ

Tragically, on September 9, 1786, Archbishop Joseph Cariattil passed away unexpectedly in Goa. His death was sudden and remains shrouded in mystery to this day, with no definitive cause established. Archbishop Cariattil breathed his last in the Archbishop's House and was laid to rest in the Cathedral Church of Goa on September 11, 1786. His death was a profound loss to the Church of the St. Thomas Christians, leaving many unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding his passing.²

The premature demise of Archbishop Cariattil had far-reaching consequences for the St. Thomas Christian community. Archbishop Cariattil was seen as the key figure who could have successfully reconciled Mar Dionysius I and the Malankara community with the Catholic Church. It is widely believed that had Cariattil reached Kerala, the reunion efforts would have succeeded, and Mar Dionysius I, along with his followers, could have been received into the Catholic Church before officially adopting the Orthodox doctrines and Antiochene rite.

This potential reconciliation could have preserved the unity of the St. Thomas Christians, preventing the fragmentation and numerous divisions that eventually arose within the community. Archbishop Cariattil’s untimely death extinguished the last hopes of healing the centuries-old schism, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the St. Thomas Christians.³

Archbishop Cariattil's passing marked the end of one of the most significant ecumenical missions in the history of the St. Thomas Christians. His death effectively halted the momentum that had been painstakingly built during years of negotiations and travel to Lisbon and Rome. Without Cariattil's leadership, the dream of reunifying the St. Thomas Christians under one Church faded, leaving the community divided along theological and liturgical lines.

Cariattil’s ability to navigate the delicate political and ecclesiastical dynamics of the time was unparalleled, and his loss created a void that could not be filled. The Church of the St. Thomas Christians was left to grapple with the consequences of this loss, including the eventual entrenchment of divisions and the rise of new ecclesiastical structures.⁴

Despite his untimely death, Archbishop Cariattil’s intellectual contributions to the Church endure. He authored two notable works:

1. Vedatharkkam (Dialectics on Theology) (1768): A theological treatise showcasing his deep understanding of Christian theology and philosophical reasoning.
2. Noticias do Reino do Malabar (Notes on the Kingdom of Malabar) (1780): A detailed account reflecting his insights into the socio-political and ecclesiastical context of Malabar.

Additionally, he issued an official letter on July 16, 1783, as Archbishop, which further underscores his role as a dedicated leader of the St. Thomas Christians.⁵

1. The Varthamanappusthakam, pp. 279–281; F. Thonippara, Saint Thomas Christians of India: A Period of Struggle for Unity and Self-Rule (1775–1787), pp. 211–217; J. C. Kollara, Archbishop Joseph Cariattil, pp. 187–223.
2. Vatican City, Vatican Apostolic Archives, Acta Camerari Sacri Collegi S.RE. Cardinalium, 39, f. 238v; C. Payngot, “Mar Joseph Cariattil Archbishop of Cranganore,” in Homage to Mar Cariattil, Pioneer Malabar Ecumenist, Rome 1987, pp. 42–45; E. Tisserant, Eastern Christianity in India, p. 96.
3. J. C. Kollara, Archbishop Joseph Cariattil, pp. 187–223; Bernard Thoma, Mar Thoma Kristianikal, p. 668; P. J. Podipara, The Hierarchy of the Syro-Malabar Church, p. 150.
4. C. Payngot, “Mar Joseph Cariattil Archbishop of Cranganore,” pp. 42–45; F. Thonippara, Saint Thomas Christians of India, pp. 211–217.
5. Mar Joseph Kariattil Archived, Wayback Machine, 6 July 2010; F. Thonippara, Saint Thomas Christians of India, pp. 211–217.