Abraham Mar Paulose: Children the Priority

Dr. Abraham Mar Paulose celebrated Holy Communion at the Annanagar Mar Thoma Church yesterday, Sunday 20th July. It was his first visit to the parish after his consecration as a bishop in 2005. As the youngest bishop of the Church, he expressed his concern for the place of children in the Church. He lamented that it has been the Sunday School which is often canceled when a special function happens in a Church. As the General Secretary of the Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam, then priest Rev. Dr. K U. Abraham, he has made significant contributions to the children's ministry. The Children's Maramon which he organized in 2005 became a land mark in the history of the Sunday school, which attracted almost a lakh of children. In his sermon he challenged the members to go beyond the traditional concepts of ministry. He pointed out that the programmes and projects of the Church are not the ministry. Those are only some expressions of the ministry of love. The meaning and success of a project is not how effieciently it was executed, but with what purpose and concern it was organized. He has also referred to the recent tension between the church and state in Kerala. The churches need to rethink its mission and ministerial function in the light of the criticisms raised against the schools and colleges run by them. Accumulating and preserving power and property are not the mission of the Church, rather risking them for the sake of Christ. Bishop is a well groomed speaker, who has been trained by the Balajana Sakhyam, the most influential secular organization for children in Kerala. Also he was actively involved in student union activities at the university level, now having very high ranking politicians of Kerala as his friends. Even as a bishop he boldly expresses his opinion on the political and social issues in society. His leadership qualities will certainly help the church in the contemporary period to give effective leadership in the ecumenical circles. We wish him all the best in his new endeavors to make the Church meaningful and effective.

Felix Wilfred Festschrift and Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Anandakrishnan

A Festschrift in honour of Dr. Felix Wilfred on his 60th birth anniversary was released at the Senate Hall of the University of Madras on 22nd July 2008 . Dr. Felix Wilfred retired recently from the University, having served the Department of Christian Studies since its inception in 1993 and as its Head from 2003. Dr. Wilfred is widely known as an Indian Christian theologian who is conversant with Indian traditional philosophy as well as subaltern traditions. He is also a member of the Research Committe (SATHRI) of the Senate of Serampore College (University). He is currently the President of the editorial board of Concilium, the renowned theological review published in seven European languages. Dr. Felix Wilfred himself is a multilinguist knowing more than a dozen languages including Indian, Biblical and European. Felix has to his credit till date published 15 books, more than 250 articles, edited 7 volumes and 25 issues of journals, presented more than 200papers, and guided 25 Ph. D. Theses. He also serves as the member of the Statutory Ethical Committee of the IIT, Chennai and of the Anna University from 2006. He is also a member of UNESCO. After retiring from the University he now serves as the founding Director of Asian Centre for Cross-cultural Studies at Panayur, Chennai, besides serving the many National and International Catholic Theological Associations. Archbishop A. M. Chinnappa of the Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese acclaimed him as "a courageous and perceptive theologian who interprets Christianity and its teaching to the local context of life in a meaningful and relevant way." Archbishop also has pointed out that Felix is a "theologian who has led us to think about inculturation in a new way. A scholar who has pursued a scientific approach to the study of religions and has highlighted the potentialities of religions for social transformation." Dr. K. Rajaratnam, Director Emeritus of Gurukul and Director of CReNIEO (Centre for Research on New International Economic Order) was one of the speakers. He hailed Felix as a theologian who has attempted to restore the gospel theme of the liberation of the oppressed as the primary concern of theology. Rajaratnam described Prof. Padma Shri Anandakrishanan who gave the Keynot address as one of the best speakers of India. Anandakrishnan is now chairman of MIDS and IIT Kanpur. (To read excerpts from the Key note address titled,"Interdisciplinary Approach to Knowledge: An Ethical Perspective" click here ). Prof. Dr. S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of the University released the Festschrift. Dr. G. Patrick, Head i/c, Department of Christian Studies, Dr. M. Ranganatham, Registrar i/c of the University, Dr. D. Aphonse, Principal St. Paul's College, Trichy, Dr. Chitra Krishnan, Head, French Department, Dr. Cruz Hieroniumus, Biblical Scholar, Fr. Xavier Arulraj, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Miniorities Economic Development Corporation Ltd., were other speakers.