HOMAGE TO LATE REV. PROF. DR. A. MATHIAS MUNDADAN CMI (1923-2012)

HOMAGE TO LATE REV. PROF. DR. A. MATHIAS MUNDADAN CMI (1923-2012)

Rev. Prof. Dr. A. Mathias Mundadan CMI, Professor Emeritus of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram left for his eternal reward on 31 August 2012. Born on 12 November 1923, he entered the CMI Congregation in 1944, and was ordained a priest on 25 March 1953 after completing his philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalore, and De Nobili College, Pune. He taught Latin and other allied subjects in 1954-1955 and proceeded to Rome for research studies in Church History at Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 1955. He returned to India in 1960 after the completion of his Licentiate and PhD in Church History. From 1960 onwards, Prof. Mathias Mundadan was the Professor of Church History at Dharmaram College and Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram. He was the Rector of Dharmaram College (1975-1978) and the first President of Dharmaram Pontifical Institute (1976-1980). He was elected the Provincial of CMI Sacred Heart Province, Kochi (1972-1975, 1990-1996). He was also the Founder Director of Acharya Palackal Jeevas Kendra, Aluva. Along with his efficient administrative involvement and long years of committed service as a Professor of Church History, Fr. A. Mathias Mundadan CMI is best known for his excellent research and authoritative publications in the area of the Church History, particularly of Indian Church History. His publications include Arrival of the Portuguese in India and the Thomas Christians 1498-1552 (1967), Sixteenth Century Traditions of St. Thomas Christians (1970), History of Christianity in India (1984, revised edition in 2001), Indian Christians: Search for Identity and Struggle for Autonomy (1984), History and Beyond (1997), Paths of Indian Theology (1998), etc. He has published around 100 scientific articles in national and international journals. He was the General Editor of the “History of Christianity” series under the auspices of CHAI (Church History Association of India); he was also the Associate Editor of Indian Church History Review, the Founder Editor of Tanima, and the Vice President and Book Review Editor of Third Millennium. As this noble soul has departed us from this earthly sojourn, we remember him with gratitude; his contributions to the making of Dharmaram is unparallel and his love for and the accompaniment of his students is praiseworthy. His research acumen and unperturbed commitment to quality research is inspirational. A loving teacher, an able administrator, an animating formator, an ardent seeker, an erudite scholar, a true son of the Catholic Church, Rev. Prof. Dr. A. Mathias Mundadan CMI leaves behind a cherished academic tradition to Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram. As we pay tribute to this noble soul, we pray for the repose of his soul and hope that the noble traditions that he leaves behind will be cherished further and would be taken to their fruition through the involvement of all of us, the staff and students of DVK. Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI President, DVK