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" The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the men of
our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joy and hope,
the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well." ( Gaudium et Spes n.1.)
On behalf of the priests, Religious and the laity of the Diocese of Cochin, I am
immensely pleased to present this work, A Channel of Divine Providence. The Diocese of
Cochin, during the long history of 443 years since its erection, has witnessed the growth
and expansion of the Catholic Church in India. It has had the unique privilege of being
the mother diocese of many a bishopric from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) down south stretching along
the east to the north and encompassing Bangladesh and beyond to Burma ( now, Myanmar ),
Hong Kong and Macao. The old but still ever young and energetic new Diocese of Cochin
bears witness to the person and the word of Christ.
Many thinking men of our time in one way or other experience a chill feeling of "zero
at the bone" and nurture a strong sense of the utter absurdity of existence. These
pages of A Channel of Divine Providence invite the readers to get acquainted with the
inscrutable ways of God which give meaning to life and its Summum Bonum. Absorbing and
imbibing this spirit, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kureethara, with the wisdom of a
sage and the vision of a saint, accomplished the task of a keen Shepherd, participating in
the triple function of the Great Pastor.
This volume is a landmark in the history of the Diocese which depicts a vivid picture of
the range and nature of the work of the Church and of the personnel engaged in the various
missions connected with the Diocese of Cochin. It provides information on and insight into
the religious institutes and their respective roles in apostolic activities.
As a missionary and a visionary, taking into consideration the multi-dimensional nature of
the kingdom of God, Bishop Kureethara paved the way for the spreading of the fragrance of
the Gospel in its entirety, in collaboration with the laity, the religious and priests.
Having seen the significance of the Religious Institutes in and their immense
contributions to the society, he invited them to the Diocese.
It was a long cherished dream of His Excellency to collect and publish an historical
account of the Religious Institutes in the Diocese (cfr. The Diocese of Cochin 1985 Vol.1,
1557-1985). The great sense of history Bishop Kureethara kept throughout his life inspired
him to write down the daily events of his life as a pastor. This very publication, in
fact, assumes flesh and blood to a considerable extent from the very lines that run in His
Excellency's own personal notes. Having set everything ready for the picking for those
really interested, His Excellency has now withdrawn behind the curtain.
On the occasion of the First Anniversary of the sad demise of His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr.
Joseph Kureethara, we humbly present the work "Bishop Kureethara, A Channel of Divine
Providence: An historical account of the Religious Institutes in the Diocese of
Cochin" to fulfil his dream. It is a treatise on the history of the Religious
Institutes in the Diocese of Cochin through the eyes of the late Bishop, His Excellency
Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kureethara.
This work has been very much a labour of love and co-operation undertaken by a group of
people. I express my sincere gratitude to all those who have helped and collaborated in
this venture through their direct assistance and through their valuable suggestions and
guidance. I should express my deep appreciation for the kind co-operation of the Superiors
of the religious institutes in extending their help for the publication of this volume.
For the countless corrections and inestimable suggestions I do sincerely thank Mr. Francis
Valiaveettil and Mr. Joseph Muttathiparambil, Vypeen, Mr. M. G. Thomas and Miss Tresa
Kattipparambil. Mr. Joseph Roy Mendez, who designed the Cover page, deserves special
thanks. Thanks are due to Mr. Francis Sasthampurakkal, Mr. Ivan S. D'Costa, Mr. E. I.
Francis, Brs. Lawrence Pollayil, Jiju Kochukariyil, Sr. Anitha, Rev. Frs. Joppy
Koottumkal, Francis M. J. Fernandez, Augustine Kadeparambil, Titus Kandathiparambil,
Johney Xavier Puthukkattu, Luke Puthemparambil, Antony Kattiparambil, Gasper
Kadaviparambil, Arthur Arakkal, and Thamby Antony Thaikkoottathil for their selfless
service. Last but not least, my sincere thanks to the Monsignori and Priests of the Cochin
Diocese for their support and encouragement which made this book a reality.
Thus, with the release of this volume "Bishop Kureethara, A Channel of Divine
Providence" we make a humble attempt at paying tribute to the cherished memory of
that great soul.
Fr. Josy Kandanattuthara,
Managing Director, Educational Agency |