Kottayam: Father Joseph Constantine Manalel, founder president of the Indian Theological Association who introduced theology to lay people, died February 5 at Malloosery in the Kottayam district of Kerala.
He was 105 and a priest for 75 years.
His funeral is scheduled at 2:30 pm on February 6 at the Mannanam Ashram in the Kottayam district of Kerala.
Father Manalel, a member of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation, was a pioneer in several fields. He created history when he launched a theology course for lay people of Kerala in 1961.
He was organizing director of the Kerala Catholic Students League during 1952-1970. He also founded the Kerala Catholic Teachers Guild and led it during 1954-1972.
He founded the Indian Theological Association India in 1976 and led it as its president until 1980.
He was the chairman of Jeevadhara (life current) Theological Society India.
He founded and directed Theology Center Kerala in 1950.
Father Manalel was born on September 28, 1915, in Pulincunnu in Kerala. He pronounced his first vows in the CMI congregation on November 24, 1937. He did his theological studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore and was ordained a priest in 1946.
He organized Swasraya Gramam (self-reliant village), an experiment in village development through self-reliance and cooperative at Malloosery in 1991, when he was 76 years old.
Father Manalel was listed as a noteworthy priest by Marquis Who’s Who.
Respectful farewell to Father Joseph Constantine Manalel. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.