By Matters India Reporter
Siliguri: Sept. 1, 2024: An Indian priest has been appointed the global head of the Rome-based Salesian higher education institutions.
A communication from Father Stefano Martoglio, the vicar of Salesian rector major, to the Kolkata provincial has announced the appointment of Father George Abraham Thadathil, former principal of Salesian College Siliguri and Sonada, as the head of the Instituto Universitario Salesiano (IUS).
“He will be working with the Department of Youth Ministry, under the leadership of Father Miguel Angel Garcia Morcuende, the general councillor for Youth Ministry, effective from September 1, 2024,” the communication said.
It also said the 61-year-old Indian priest will specifically be asked to accompany universities and institutions of higher education.
Since the establishment of the first Salesian University College in 1933 in Shillong, India, and the emerging institutions during the 1970s and the 1980s, the IUS has dedicated its efforts in the practice and development of a Salesian educational mission.
As the IUS’ founding executive board member since 2001, Father Thadathil has visited Salesian university institutions in South America, Asia and Europe.
Father Thadathil has served 42 years in Darjeeling, first as director of youth services in the Darjeeling-Sikkim diocese and first co-pastor of St Theresa’s parish Sonada while teaching Philosophy at Salesian College in the same town. In 2000, he took over as the 14th principal of Salesian College and served 23 years.
He completed both M Phil in Philosophy and Christian Studies from Madras University in 1997 and went on to pursue a doctorate in Interdisciplinary research (Philosophy-Sociology) over two years (1998 to 2000) from the School of Religion and Philosophy, University of Madras.
During that same period, Father Thadathil was junior research fellow, with Indian Council of Philosophical Research, under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. After completion of doctoral studies, he stayed on at Salesian College Sonada from 2000 as the head of the Philosophy Department.
Father Thadathil spent two sabbaticals visiting Ivy League Universities of Princeton, Yale and Stanford as well as leading Catholic Universities of both East and West Coasts in the U.S.
Starting as a board member of Mount Hermon Teacher Training College, Darjeeling, since 2000 Father Thadathil was also the executive secretary of the Commission for Dialogue and Ecumenism for the Diocese of Darjeeling.
He is an executive board member as well of the All India Association of Christian Colleges and of the Association of Catholic Colleges (Xavier Board) since May 2004. Since 2006 he is an executive committee member of the Association of Christian Philosophers of India.
He is also the member of National Academic Accreditation Council serving University Grants Commission now christened Higher Education Council of India.
It was during his tenure as principal in May 2023 that Salesian College was awarded Autonomous status.
Father Thadathil was born in 1963 and did his primary education at St Mary’s High School, Maruthonkara in Kozhikode district, Kerala. He then did his high school studies at Don Bosco Mannuthy, pre degree in Bandel and BA honors in Salesian College Sonada.
He joined the Salesians in 1981 and was ordained a priest on May 11, 1992.
His parents are no more but his five brothers and a sister now live in the southern Indian state.
Intellectual yet human. Right choice for a global head. Congratulations Fr. George.
Congratulations to Fr Dr George Thadathil on being bestowed with such a great responsibility.
Congratulations to Fr George on his appt as Global Head