Joseph Powathil
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Mar Joseph Powathil (b. August 14, 1930, Kurumbanadom, Kerala, India) is a Roman Catholic archbishop representing the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He is the archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Changanassery.
Archbishop Joseph is known for his in-depth knowledge of the ancient patrimony of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and his strenuous efforts for its reformation in accordance with directives of Vatican II. He was on the forefront in the struggles for the restoration of Syro-Malabar Church’s legitimate rights and its identity as an individual Church. He is also well known in the ecumenical movement and the Church's fellowship with followers of other religions.
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[edit] Early Life
Archbishop Joseph was born in Kurumbanadom, a silent and tiny village in Kerala. He was dearly known as Pappachan in his childhood days and his official name was P J Joseph. Joseph did his school education in Holy Family LP School, St. Peter’s UP School, both in his home village, and St. Berchmans’ High School Changanassery. He had his higher education in St.Berchmans College Changanassery and Loyola College Madras and had his masters degree in economics. He also added a diploma in economics to his credit from Oxford University in 1969.
[edit] Priestly Ministry
Joseph did his seminary studies in St. Thomas Seminary Changanassery and Papal Seminary Pune. He was ordained priest on October 3, 1962. Just after his ordination Joseph Powathil was appointed lecturer in economics at St. Berchmans’ College, the same college where he had his graduation studies. Though his later years were full of Episcopal responsibilities it is an irony that Father Joseph had very little pastoral experience as a priest. The authorities thought the other way, to utilize his leadership qualities and organizing abilities in the making of a prelate.
[edit] A Profile of Ministry in 'Truth and Charity'
He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Changanassery (Titular Bishop of Caesarea Philippi) on January 29, 1972 and was ordained bishop by Pope Paul VI on February 13, 1972. On February 26, 1977 a new diocese was created under the name Kanjirappally bifurcating Changanassery archdiocese. Bishop Powathil was transferred to there as the first bishop. He served the newborn diocese for nine years. He was promoted to the position of archbishop and was transferred back to Changanassery on November 16, 1985.
As the archbishop of Changanassery Mar Powathil raised his voice for the restoration of East Syrian traditions in the Syro-Malabar Church. He fought vigorously for the revival of the Divine Liturgy that was Latinised after the Synod of Diamper. However his efforts won him several critics including fellow bishops. This was clear when he himself stood for the election of the president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in 1994.
Most of the Latin bishops from other parts of the country supported his candidature. But he had to overcome strong opposition from a group within his church. However he won the election. As the president of C.B.C.I. Mar Joseph’s voice was heard through out India and he won respect even from other religious leaders. In 1996, as a poetic justice, he was unanimously asked to serve the C.B.C.I. for one more term. Archbishop Powathil has also served as chairman of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (K.C.B.C.) from 1993 to 1996.
[edit] Offices He held / holds
He served as President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) (1994-1998), Chairman of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (1993-1996), and Chairman of Education Commission of the CBCI. He is at present a member of the Post Asian Synodal Council in Rome, Italy (since 1998), Chairman of KCBC Commission for Education (since 1986), Founder and Chairman of Inter Church Council for Education, Chairman of Inter Religious Fellowship, member of the Pro Oriente Foundation at Vienna, Austria (since 1993) and member of the Scientific Commission of International Publication ‘Oasis’ from Venice, Italy.
[edit] A Noted Educationist
His leadership as an educationist starts in early 1970’s when he was the auxiliary bishop of Changanassery. It was then the youth wing of a certain political party came out against the private colleges in Kerala. Following the footsteps of his predecessor, Bishop James Kalacherry, who challenged the unjust educational policies of the famous Sir C.P. Rama Swamy Iyyer, he was at the leadership to defend the educational rights of the minority communities and led the agitation for freedom. In Changanassery, he personally led a large manifestation against the government through the streets. His vision of education is rather liberal and liberating. He joined hands with the other Christian Churches to defend the constitutional rights of the minority communities, which was evident from the events that followed the enactment of the Kerala Self-financing Professional Colleges Act 2006.
St. John the Baptist Training College at Nedumkunnam, St. Thomas College of Nursing at Chethipuzha, St. Thomas College of Allied Health Sciences at Chethipuzha and St. Joseph’s College of Communication at Kurisummoodu are founded by him in the Archdiocese of Changanassery during the last decade.
[edit] Other Contributions
His special care and concern for the margininalised, especially for the mentally challenged children is manifested in nineteen special schools for the mentally challenged in the Archdiocese itself and four schools for the physically handicapped. The first school for the mentally challenged in the central travancore region was opened by his initiative in 1972 (Asha Bhavan) at Ithithanam near Changanassery. Now it is the largest residential school with hundred students and twenty-five teaching and non-teaching staff. Besides he is the inspiration behind 16 mental health care centres and four houses for the terminally ill in the Archdiocese.
Social Development was one of his major concerns. He founded the famous and prestigious Peerumedu Development Society (P.D.S) and the Malanadu Development Society (M. D. S) in 1977 while he was the bishop of Kanjirappaly. The Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithy (KVS) is another brainchild of Archbishop Powathil for the integral development of the place and people of Kuttanadu. Besides, as the Patron of the Changanassery Social Service Society (CHASS) he is the inspiration of numerous developmental schemes. During the last seven years itself the society has built 2000 new houses - with the support of the local people - for those who don’t have proper shelter. Many Scholarship schemes are established for the Dalit Christians in the Archdiocese and the poor and eligible students of the professional courses.
In 1990, Archbishop Powathil founded the prestigious I. C. Chacko award for cultural and literary excellence and it was awarded to Prof. P. C. Devasia, the author of Kristu Bhagavathom in Sanskrit language. Centre for Indian Christian Archaeological Research (CICAR) promoting research is another unique initiative of the Archbishop. Rev. Dr. Joseph Vazhuthanappally is the head of this centre promoting scientific research. Promoting reading habit among the people Archbishop Powathil established the Department of Book Apostolate and they organize the Changanassery Pusthaka Mela in the month of October every year. This Mela is considered as the cultural fest of Changanassery attracting many thousands of people every day. Besides he started family library scheme, school library scheme, Pusthaka Mela in every school etc.
Realizing the importance of the Youth Apostolate he took the initiative in establishing a Diocesan Youth Movement called ‘Yuva Deepthi’ in 1972. In course of time it spread to all the dioceses in Kerala leading to the formation of Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) and he was the first chairman of the KCBC Youth Commission. He started Apostolate for the senior citizens, apostolate for the emigrants and apostolate for the tourists in the Archdiocese. CANA, the Indian Section of the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, at Thuruthy with head quarters in Rome is another achievement of him.
The Syro Malabar Church in which he was born and brought up was always close to his heart. He was always a devoted son of this Church and therefore always on the forefront in the struggles for the restoration of its legitimate rights and its identity as an individual Church. He did a great deal to promote formation based on this identity, to priests, religious and the laity. Oriental Study Forum, Dukrana - periodical, Christian Orient - periodical, Missionary Orientation Centre (MOC, recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome), Amala Theological College for the novices, Mar Thoma Vidya Nikethan for Laity (Master Degree in Religious Sciences: recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome) etc. are the means used for the same. He also founded an Eastern Monastic Congregation – Sisters of St. Thomas
On January 22nd 2007, Monday, the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Powathil, in conformity with Canon 210 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, was made public by the Holy See (Vatican City) as His Excellency reached the canonical age of resignation of 75 (He is 76 by 2007). This was with the consent of Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil and the Bishops' Synod of the Syro Malabar Church.
On the same day, it was announced that the then Auxiliary Bishop of Changanacherry, Mar Joseph Perumthottam would succeed Mar Joseph Powathil in the office as the Archbishop of Changanacherry.
