By Fr Thomas Anchukandam, SDB
Direttore – ISS
The funeral services were conducted at Kristu Jyoti College, the Salesian studentate of theology, Bangalore, at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, 17 January and his mortal remains laid to rest in the cemetery adjacent to the College Chapel.
Fr Joseph Thekkedath, a former President of the Church History Association of India (CHAI) and indisputably the pre-eminent Church historian in the country, was also a member of the Associazione Cultori Storia Salesiana (ACSSA). His contribution to the history of the Church in India is his History of Christianity in India, Vol. II – From the Middle of the Sixteenth Century to the End of the Seventeenth Century (Theological Publications of India, Bangalore 1982). His monumental two-volume work, A History of the Salesians of Don Bosco in India from the Beginning up to 1951-52 (Kristu Jyoti Publications, Bangalore 2005) is arguably the only scientifically pursued historical writing of any region/country in the entire Congregation.
Besides being a scholar of great merit, Fr Thekkedath also served as the Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai (1970-’74) founded in 1936 by Archbishop Louis Mathias sdb; Rector of Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore (1981-’85) and Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province of Bangalore (1985-1991). After his term as Provincial, Fr Thekkedath returned to Kristu Jyoti College as Professor of Church History and Patrology and remained there till his death.
The “Istituto Storico Salesiano” (ISS) and the “Associazione Cultori Storia Salesiana” (ACSSA) deeply mourn his death and pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
