As a prelude to the inception of the Chair for Christian Studies & Research, a Registered Body was initiated under the name Indian Institute of Christian Studies.

Objectives :

Programme of work:

• To establish a centre for conducting scientific and scholarly research and to arrange fellowship programmes for advanced research in diverse issues connected with its objectives.
• To set up a religious Library consisting of published works on Christian philosophy, theology, biblical studies, liturgies, history and culture.
• To hold seminars, symposia, study circles, summer schools, correspondence courses, etc. and to undertake such other academic activities as contributing to a deeper understanding of the different branches of Christianity in relation to other religions.
• To make an endeavor to introduce suitable papers in different branches of studies, viz. a paper on Kerala Christian History and Culture for Post-graduate students offering History, a paper of Christian Philosophy for Post-graduate students offering philosophy, etc.
• To collaborate with other Christian and other religious endeavors with similar objectives, and with any non-Christian agency, for the promotion of the intellectual and cultural activities according to the mind of the Church.

Managing Committee

The Managing Committee consists of the following members: President, three Vice-presidents, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and four Committee Members. All the members of the Managing Committee are elected by the General Body for a period of two years. Managing Committee has all the powers to manage the affairs of the Institute except those reserved to the General body meeting shall not invalidate any prior acts of the Managing Committee which would have been valid, if such regulations had not been passed. The members of the Managing Committee were the following:

• Rev.Fr. Gabriel CMI
• Msgr. Paul Chittilappilly
• Rev.Fr.Joseph Kalathil
• Rev.Sr.Anunciata AC
• Rev.Dr.Sebastian Kanjirathingal
• Dr.P.K.Jose
• Rev.Sr.Mary Chrisantha, CMC
• Msgr.Jacob Varicat
• Rev.Fr. Mathew Kattady
• Rev.Fr.Thomas Vazhappilly
• Rev.Dr.Joseph Veliathil.

The Managing Committee resolved to have a Chief Patron nominated by the Patron members. Hence Rt.Rev. Joseph Kundukulam was nominated as the Chief patron of the Institute. The president of the Indian Institute through a letter dated 27 th January 1986 forwarded Rs.2,50,000 lakhs collected from the members, for instituting the endowment for the Chair for Christian Studies. Thus the Chair was instituted by the University through an Order No. GA1/B1/9565/82 dated 05.02.1986. The main purpose of the Chair is to conduct Research and organize Seminars and Courses on any subject that comes under the Christian Studies. As per the panel given by the Managing Committee to the Vice Chancellor, Rev.Dr. Sebastian Kanjirathingal was selected and appointed the first Visiting Professor to the Chair; the University was very generous to provide for us a building with necessary facilities and Rev. Dr. Sebastian began his mission in full vigour and enthusiasm. Seminars and courses were organized and many participated and benefited. From 1989 to 1994 and from 1994 to 2002 Dr. Joseph Velacherry and Rev.Dr. Vincent Alappat were Visiting Professors of the Chair respectively.

The Bishops of Bathery, Calicut, Irinjalakuda, Kottayam, Mananthody, Tellicherry, Palakkad, Thamarassery, Kottappuram and Trichur and other Catholic Bishops of Kerala who intend to join the Institute. They are the main promoters and the well-wishers of the Institute. And they support the Institute financially and also lend their moral and spiritual leadership. They may, if necessary attend the meetings of the Institute but do not take part in the voting.

General Body:
General Body consists of all the ordinary members of the Institute. There are 59 ordinary members, including diocesan representatives, Managers of Catholic Colleges of the Calicut University area, Catholic College Principals of the University area, Religious Major superiors and Educational Experts (including 2 laymen) nominated by the Managing Committee.

In the year 2002 on February 18 th Rev.Dr.Rosetta took charge of the Chair as Visiting Professor. She was Professor of English at Mercy College, Palghat, Kerala from the year 1970 to 1994. she took her M.A. in English language and Literature from the University of Calicut. She was awarded the Degree of Ph’D for her doctoral thesis, Asceticism and Mysticism: A search through the doctrine of St.John of the Cross-, submitted to the University of Kerala. A video cassette has been produced in music based on the doctoral studies entitled ‘From Darkness to Light’. And now it is made available as CD. At the moment the thesis is in the process of Publication in the University of Calicut.

The present Executive Committee of the Indian Institute of Christian Studies is very co-operative and supportive. The members are the following:

1. Rev.Fr. Thomas Chakramackil, CMI : President, Principal , St.Alocious College, Trichur
2. Rev.Sr.Theresa Mary SH :Secretary, Principal, Sacred Heart College, Chalakudy
3. Rev.Fr.Joseph Vayalil, CMI : Principal, Devagiri College, Calicut.
4. Rev.Sr.Rose Dheera CMC: :Principal, Vimala College, Trichur.
5. Rev.Dr.Leoni CMC : Principal, Mercy College, Palghat.

Advisory Committee:

For a better working of the Chair an Advisory Committee was formed at the University level. The members are the following:

1. Rev.Dr.Sr.Rosetta CMC : President
2. Shri. Martin Thachil : Secretary
3. Rev.Dr.Sheila : Joint Secretary
4. Rev.Fr.Zacharia’s Paranilam : P.O.C. Director
5. Dr. Kanthamani :Dept. of Philosophy
6. Dr.M.V. Joseph :Dept. of Bio-Technology
7. Rev.Dr.Sebastian Kanjirathingal : Former Syndicate member, Founder Visiting Professor to the Chair
8. Shri. Philip Parackel : Dept. of Engineering
9. Dr. V.J.Philip : Former Syndicate member
10. Sr.Ancelline : Principal, Providence College, Calicut
11. Rev.Dr.Jonson Thekkadayil : Principal, Prerana Niketan, Nilambur.

• Six Months Course in Theology
• Two Years Correspondence course in Theology

• Two Years Diploma Course in Theology
• Certificate Course in Theology.

• Higher Course in Catechism (Plus 1&2) 2 years.

• Advanced Course in Catechism (ACC. 3 years)

• Advanced Course in Guidance & Counseling (ACGC) 1 year
• Basic Counseling Course (BCC) 150 Hrs.
• Family Apostolate Course (FAC) 3 months

• The Vice-Chancellor (Chairman)
• The Registrar
• The Finance Officer
• Fr. Thomas Chakramakkil
• Rev. Dr. Remegius Inchanamiyil
• Shri. Martin T. J
• Prof. George Menacherry
• Rev. Dr. Raphael Thattil

VII. K.C.Y.M Dwaraka, Mananthoddy

A National Seminar on ‘Peace & Harmony was conducted by Xavier Board of Higher Education under the auspices of the Chair for Christian Studies in the university Campus from 25 th to 27 th October 2002. it was inaugurated by honorable P.J. Joseph, former Minister for Education. Delegates from various colleges in South India participated in the Seminar. Swami John Sachidandha delivered the keynote address.

In the month of August 2003 the Chair organized a Certificate Course in Bible (St.Mark) for 2 months. There were 25 participants to attend the Course. The Course was open to all. A few Hindus and Muslims attended it. Lectures were given by Rev. Dr. George Kudilil, Diocese of Tellicherry. Certificates were issued to those who successfully completed the Course.

In the month of September 2003 Visiting Professor gave one week’s lectures on the Mysticism of St. Therese of Lisieux at D.B.C.C, Institute of Theology, Archbishop’s House, and Trichur to the Junior Sisters of different congregations who are doing an Advanced Course in Theology.

During the month of March 2004 we organized an Open Forum, an Inter-Faith-Dialogue for Peace. Dr. P.P. Mohammed, Registrar, University of Calicut inaugurated the Forum. Rev. Dr. Jose Paul CMI, former Director of the Inter-Religious-Centre, Coimbatore, gave a talk on Christianity. Dr. E.K. Ahmedkutty, Head of the Department of Arabic, University of Calicut, share his thoughts and views on Islam and Dr. P.Raman, Rtd. Doctor,; Medical College Hospital, Calicut exposed his views on Hinduism. Hundred students and staff from different departments of Calicut University participated in the Programme. Towards the end there was a very interesting and lively panel discussion.