India – Farewell to Fr Father VV Paul, SDB

21 November 2019

(ANS – Shillong) – Father Paul Vadakumpadam, SDB, or Father VV Paul as popularly known in North-East India, the Editor of Mission Today and President of the “Sacred Heart Theological College” in Shillong, who passed away on 18th November, was solemnly buried today, 21st November, in the Salesian Cemetery at Laitumkhrah amidst hundreds of faithful, priests, religious and his relatives.

The Funeral Mass was held at Mawlai Parish presided over by Father Paul Lyngkot, the Provincial of the Province. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Januarius Sangma, the provincial of Guwahati Province, Father John Madur the Archdiocesan Administrator of Shillong Diocese, and hundreds of priests, religious, sisters, brothers, novices, aspirants, his relatives and the faithful who throng to the Parish at 1:30pm. The whole service was also telecasted live on YouTube and Facebook of the Don Bosco Media Network channel.

Father Parackal Anthony Roy, the Parish Priest of Sohra and the Novitiate companion of Father VV Paul, gave the homily in which he characterized Father V.V Paul as “A silent and hard working person in his mission”. Father Roy further added that Father V.V Paul was a very good Missionary with Missiology as his professional subject. Father Paul worked silently to fulfil his mission entrusted to him in various places in Khasi Hills. Hearing confession and visiting people in interior villages without much of publicity were most of his missions.

Father Paul Panachickal, another novitiate companion of Father VV Paul recalled in his condolences the early life at “Savio Juniorate” where they lived together as boys aspiring themselves to be Salesian Priest.

Father Paul is known as a man of perfection. He had been the chief editor of the Mission Today for more than 17 years. He was also the Spiritual Director of the Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (VSDB) since 1997-2001 and guided their first general chapter on September 1998. It was under his direction and guidance that many documents were written and well preserved. The people who gave their condolences were, Father Januarius Sangma (ING Provincial), Father Nazarius Lakra (IND Vice Provincial), Sr Redina Marwein VSDB, Rangbah Balang Mawpat, Br Jerry, Father Paul Panachickal, Father Philip Barjo, Sr Lisette SMI and his nephew who came all the way from Kerela.

Lastly, Father Paul Lyngkot, the Provincial of Shillong, gave the Funeral Oration and proposed the vote of thanks. After the Holy Mass, the mortal remains of Father VV Paul was taken to Laitumkhrah Salesian cemetery to be laid to rest for eternity.   

It may be mentioned here, that Father VV Paul had published over 12 books, 31 scholarly articles on missiology and theology and edited 50 issues of Mission Today Journal.

Some of his books are used as textbooks in various Theological colleges across the country. Besides being involved in the parish and pastoral ministry in different Parishes of Shillong, Fr. VV Paul was a much sought after teacher at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong and visiting professor else where. And in spite of his busy academic and pastoral duty schedule, Father Paul found time also to edit the then undivided Guwahati Province newsletter NEWSLINE.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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