By Stan Alla
New Delhi, March 26, 2022: Father Poulose Mangai, a renowned professor of theology who worked among rickshaw pullers of Old Delhi area, died on March 26 after a brief hospitalization.
A message from Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi expressed sadness over the death of “our dear Father Poulose Mangai, SJ, professor of theology at Vidyajyoti College.”
Father Mangai was a prolific writer and editor of Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflections, Asia’s top theological publication. He was 64.
A week ago, Father Mangai was found with an enlarged prostate and was admitted to Holy Family Hospital in Okhla, a south Delhi suburb, says a message from Jerome Francis, secretary to Calcutta provincial Father Raphael Hyde.
After Father Mangai developed breathing problem, a CT scan of the chest was conducted that showed a patch indicating tuberculosis. “This was confirmed by a bronchoscopy. When the condition stabilized he was shifted to an ordinary room,” said the provincial secretary’s letter to the members of his men a few hours before Father Mangai’s death.
The priest suffered a few mild heart attacks in the afternoon and was put on ventilator as his Blood Pressure and pulse rate went down. He died at 5:30 pm.
Archbishop Couto hailed Father Mangai as “a dedicated priest fully involved in the various ministries of the Archdiocese of Delhi” and sent his “heartfelt condolences to the “Vidyajyoti family.”
Father Mangai had taught Pneumatology (study of the Holy Spirit) and Sikhism in Vidyajyoti for the past 20 years. He was planning to retire from teaching on turning 65 on September 15.
He was born on September 15, 1957, at Kalady in the southern Indian state of Kerala. He entered the Calcutta province of the Society of Jesus on June 26, 1987, and was ordained a priest on November 11, 1995.
Before joining the Jesuits he worked as a mathematics lecturer under the department of Collegiate Education of the Kerala government. He studied philosophy from Chennai’s Satyanilayam Institute and theology from Delhi’s Vidyajyoti where he later worked as a professor.
He had a doctorate from the Indian Institute of Spirituality under the St Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore (now Bengaluru).
He was interested in religion, interfaith dialogue, theology, spirituality and people’s movement. He was the author of the book, “Spirituality of People’s Movement: A Christian Search in the Indian Context.” He had also written more than 150 articles.
Father Mangai had represented the Calcutta province in the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus in 2016 that elected Arturo Sosa as the superior general.
He started a rickshaw pullers ministry. Every Sunday, rickshaw pullers used to come to Vidyajyoti for a gathering.
He had also served as the president of the Delhi unit of the Conference of Religious India.
May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
Calcutta Jesuits have lost a dedicated, committed, inspiring companion. May his great soul rest in peace.
Very shocking news! Unbelievable. Every time I read his editorials in VJ n articles I was inspired. The March issue d Editorial entitled “To see all things new in Christ’ is down to earth in d understanding of Ignatian spirituality.
He had lot more to give to the Church. I will miss him. May his soul rest in peace! RIP.
Sad to hear the death of of a dedicated priest whose presence makes a difference to the life of the poor and downtrodden.
May his soul rest in peace.
Sad loss. He served humanity with dedication and distinction. Respectful farewell to Fr Poulose. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul. Strength and courage to all his loved ones.
Inspiring that a top notch theologian was grounded in reality with rickshaw pullers. RIP