Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-83 Chevilyar Prof. N.A. Ouseph

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-83
Chevilyar Prof. N.A. Ouseph
Chev N.A. Ouseph, a prominent community leader, educationalist, and speaker, was born on June 2, 1928, in the family of Anthony and Kunjiayi at Nilankaavil Kolengadan in Thrissur. The Kolengadan family has contributed numerous distinguished individuals to the Kerala Church, including clergy and prominent women. Ouseph obtained his B.A. and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Madras and his Master’s degree from the University of Kerala. While a student, he excelled in various speech competitions.
Ouseph began his career as a high school teacher and was later appointed as a lecturer at St. Thomas College, Thrissur. He dedicated himself to fostering a sense of spirituality among students through his teaching and worked to prepare teachers across various dioceses for this purpose. He played a crucial role in the success of a theology course organized by the Kerala Catholic Teachers Guild. Prof. Ouseph consistently stood at the forefront in voicing opposition against government policies that violated the rights of the educational sector. He was actively involved in combating violations of minority rights and studied and interpreted rulings issued by the High Court and Supreme Court on this issue, conducting numerous classes in various dioceses and submitting petitions to central and state governments over time.
As a speaker, educator, and organizer, Prof. N.A. Ouseph has dedicated his talents to witnessing for Christ. He is a founding member of the Catholic Union of Thrissur and has served as the Vice President of the All India Catholic Union. His various roles include Chairman of the Thrissur Catholic Union, member of the CBCI National Advisory Committee, and consultant for the CBCI and CRI Commission for Vocations. He has served as Director of the Thrissur Diocesan Almay Leadership Training Center, a member of the Pastoral Council, Managing Editor of the Tempest magazine, and a member of the Thrissur Diocesan Finance Committee and the special legislative committee of the Major Archiepiscopal Church.
In 1975, he participated in the World Conference of Catechists in Rome, where he spoke on “New Dimensions in Catechists.” He was one of four selected from Asia to represent India. His speech captivated the audience for over thirty minutes, showcasing his profound expertise on the subject. While other speakers were allotted only four minutes, Ouseph was given thirty minutes, a testament to his depth of knowledge.
He has authored several short works that provide general knowledge on contemporary issues relevant to the Christian community, assessing problems in a manner accessible to all. Some of his works include “What is the Crisis of Christianity?”, “Anti-Religious Trends in Secular India”, and “Joint Document: Modern Perspectives”. His book “The Spiritual Renewal” published by the Thrissur Theological Institute in 1993 stands as a testament to Prof. Ouseph’s ecclesiastical insight.
Prof. Ouseph participated in the national seminar “The Church in Today’s India” held in Bangalore in 1969 and has been involved in numerous leadership gatherings. He has successfully conducted study classes for various groups, including clergy, religious, parents, and youth, and is also a skilled retreat speaker.
In 1986, he served as the general convenor of the committee selected to ensure the successful visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur. He also provided real-time English commentary during the Pope’s English speech. In recognition of his numerous contributions to the Church, he was awarded the title of Grant Chevilyar (K.C.S.G.) in 1988. In 1994, the All Kerala Catholic Congress honored him with the Ashti Award, and in 1999, he received the same award from the All Kerala Catholic Congress.
His wife, Mary, is a member of the Thattillmundi family and was a teacher at the Government Model High School.