"Apostle of the Untouchables" to be beatified
The Indian priest, Fr Augustinus Thevarparampil dedicated his life to the advancement of Dalit Christians. Benedict XVI has authorized the publication of a decree recognizing a miracle.
Palai (AsiaNews) The "little priest" of the Dalits, Fr Augustinus Thevarparampil, will be beatified. The priest was known as the "Apostle of the Untouchables" because he dedicated his life to the human and social advancement of "outcastes", personally baptizing around 6,000. Benedict XVI has authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree recognizing a miracle, the healing of the child "Gison" Varghese.
The Bishop of Palai, Mgr Joseph Kallarangatt, told AsiaNews: "This is excellent news, not only for our diocese, but for all the Church in India; his life is an inspiration not only to the clergy, but to all people fighting for justice. We will celebrate his beatification with a solemn feast after Easter. And we hope Dalit Christians will get the justice which Fr Thevarparampil worked endlessly for.
"He was a very simple man, the most simple of priests. He was a many of prayer and hard work in favour of Dalit Christians. They are the most despised lot, as even Dalit Hindus despise them and they do not receive any government benefits like reservations in employment and education."
In Mgr Kallarangatt's eyes, Fr Augustinus "could be described as a social reformer, because he did everything in his power to better the conditions of the most marginalized people in society. He would go in person to the most remote villages to convince people to send their sons, and especially their daughters, to school."
Born on 1 April 1891 in Ramapuram in the diocese of Palai, Kerala, Fr Augustinus Thevarparampil entered the seminary of Palai and was ordained priest on 17 December 1921, aged 30, by Bishop Mar Tommasi Kurialacherry.
In February 1923, he was sent as vice parish priest to St Sebastian parish in Kadanad, but sudden serious illness forced him to leave his post to return to Ramapuran. Here, he found his future field of work among the "untouchables", the Dalits. Fr Augustinus Thevarparampil was widely known as "Kunjachan" meaning "little priest" in the Malayalam language of India because he was short. He sought to lead marginalized and exploited people, who were full of superstitious beliefs and practices, to the Christian faith and also encouraged them to believe in themselves.
To win over diffidence and prejudice, he would go to visit them, to listen to and comfort them, seeking to calm discord and to treat sick people. He knew and called each one by name and he was a great friend of children. His perseverance enabled him to overcome many difficulties, so much so, he personally baptized nearly 6,000 people. Fr Thevarparampil died on 16 October 1973, aged 82, after 52 years of priesthood and mission. He is buried in his parish church of Ramapuran, before the altar of St Augustine, which has now become a place of pilgrimage.
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06/09/2010
