By Irudhaya Jothi
Kolkata, Dec 7, 2024: Catholic media persons in India on December 7 mourned the death of Jesuit communication expert Father Joseph Paimpallikunnel, director of Chitrabani, the oldest media training institute in eastern India.
Father Joseph, who was popularly known as PJ, died the same day at 6:50 am in Nightingale Nursing Home, Kolkata, due to cardiac arrest. He was 62.
“He was admitted in the Nursing Home and was scheduled to undergo angioplasty today,” said a message from Father Sunny Kunnel, the socius of Calcutta Jesuit province, announcing the death.
Source in the Jesuit provincial house said the funeral may be on December 11, depending on the arrival of Father Joseph’s relatives from Angadikadavu, his native village in the Kannur district of Kerala, southern India.
Father Joseph had a mild attack four days earlier and was admitted to the hospital on Theatre Road. As his conditions worsened, the Jesuits planned to shift him to Woodlands for surgery.
A few months back, he was in Kerala for treatment at an Ayurveda hospital in Perumpunna, Kannur..
Father Joseph had served at Vatican Radio for many years. He became the director of Chitrabani in 2022.
Members of Signis India and Indian Catholic Press Association were among the mourners.
Father Joseph “will be remembered for his commitment and contribution to the communication ministry. May he rest in Peace,” said Salesian Father George Plathottam, secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
Allen Brooks, a Signis India member from northeastern India, said Father Joseph’s “extraordinary life and legacy uplift us.” He hailed the Jesuit communicator as “a truly exceptional individual, who exemplified a unique fusion of kindness, humor, and professional excellence. “
Father Joseph’s “tireless efforts to share knowledge as seen training sessions he led with his team from Chitrabani at NESCOM Guwahati, have left an enduring impact”
“The Church has lost a pioneering communicating missionary, the world a gifted communication expert, and Signis a cherished family member,” Brooks added.
Divine Word Father Babu Joseph, former public relations officer of the Catholic bishops in India, said Father Joseph “will be remembered not only for his services to the Church as a priest but more so in making the communication ministry in India an integral part of the Church’s life and mission.”
Another Divine Word priest, Father Norbert Herman, hailed Father Joseph as “a visionary and committed priest. He will be remembered for his contributions in Catholic communications.”
Father Joseph was born on October 10, 1962. He joined the Calcutta Jesuits on June 13, 1986, after completing his bachelor degree from Nirmalagiri College, Koothuparamba, Kannur. He was ordained a priest on November 25, 1995, and became a full-fledged Jesuit with the final vows on April 1, 2006.