IN MEMORIAM

Fr Abraham Adappur, SJ: A Contemporary Role Model for Cultural Dialogue

(08.01.1926-03.12.2022)

Fr Adappur, SJ was a Jesuit Priest who engaged in constant dialogue with the secular world through Christian thought. He was ninety six years old when he passed away at Christ Hall, Malaparamba, Kozhikkode. His convictions rooted in the gospel, opposition to communism and his immaculate sense of justice made him a philosopher-ascetic, quite unique.

Fr Adappur presented Christian theology and doctrines in a secular style, before the world, which, I think, is his greatest contribution. Many an article he published in Mathrubhumi weekly bear witness to this fact. He wrote an article titled, ‘Friend of the Poor’, describing the charitable activities of Mother Theresa and introducing her to Kerala. Besides, he wrote a series of articles on the proceedings of Vatican Council II, and its new perspectives. His wide reading, deep thinking, profound writing, and meaningful discourses helped him to bring Christian Theology into public domains. Beyond the verbal preaching of the Gospel, he gave priority to human values and cultural development.  His research on the cultural crisis in India and the West testify to this fact. It can rightly be considered a classic piece of research.

Fr Adappur was a philosopher who relentlessly fought against Communism. He had the conviction that ideologies without God are not complete or holistic, and that they would never satisfy human beings. These convictions were there behind the writing of his two books titled: ‘The Fall of Communism’ and ‘An obituary to Communism’. Fr Adappur’s opposition to communism must be evaluated in its historical background. The detrimental impact of World War II had a decisive influence in the life of the young Priest, and his personal experience as a student in Europe added more vigour to his opposition to communism. In fact, he was annoyed by the aberration of Marxian principles in their practice that led to the massacre of lakhs of people and the violation of human rights. His attitude was that communism rejected human values and human freedom. When John Paul II was elected Pope from Poland, the land where communism flourished, the articles he wrote from  Europe and published in Mathrubhumi  led to a serious dialogue with Mr. C. Achutha Menon, the then Chief Minister of Kerala. He was steadfast and uncompromising in his convictions throughout the life. His ideology and philosophy were proved right over time. Even when the Society of Jesus and his contemporary Jesuit friends embraced the concepts of liberation from Theology whole-heartedly with all its excitement, Fr Adappur did not follow suit, but took a different stand.

Fr Adappur was the chaplain of the Newman Association of India, Kerala Chapter, for well over five decades. The Jesuit house at Kaloor, Kochi known as Lumen/Jyothis, is a centre for open dialogues and deliberations. Fr Adappur was the dynamic force and the great attraction behind its regular programmes, in which people from various walks of life, cutting across all denominations, actively participated. During the deliberations, Fr Adappur used to remind the participants by quoting Sree Narayana Guru who stated: “Deliberations are meant not for arguing and winning but for knowing and informing”. Fr Adappur was uneasy and unhappy at the aberration of the Church and its proceedings. He had no hesitation and was bold enough to say openly his views on matters affecting the church, to the authorities, and to ask them pertinent questions. He was devoted to the church and its teachings.  In certain decisive situations, he has come as great defender and protector of the church. In matters of faith, he was indeed a conservative in full measure. One has to look at his questions and attitudes in the light of self-criticism and internal freedom.

He studied in depth the life and works of Arnos Padiri. For this, he visited the native place of Arnos Padiri in Europe. Based on this, he published a number of articles and books in different languages. It is no exaggeration to say that the ‘cultural gene’ of Arnos Pathiri has been transmitted to Fr Adappur.!

Humility and simplicity were the hallmark of this great ascetic. Most of the time, he would spend at the corridor in front of his room at Jyothis, reading and writing sitting in an easy chair that was indeed a spiritual exercise for him! His life which began in 1926 at Arakkuzha, and ended at Kozhikode in 2022, has left in all, great memories. But his departure would definitely create a vacuum in the cultural field. It would be more felt and evident in the Church in Kerala. The contributions of Fr Adappur, one of the leaders of renaissance in Kerala, will be appreciated by all. A big salute to the Rev. Fr Adappur who acted as a beacon for the Society of Jesus and for the public.

Binoy Jacob