Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church –32
Fr. Antony Manippadam S.J
Fr. Antony Manippadam, born on November 1, 1922, in Manippadam House, Vaikom, to Varghese and Elyamma, has made significant contributions to the upliftment of the impoverished and marginalized. His early education was at the S.M.E.M. School, followed by high school at the Vaikom Government High School. For higher studies, he went to the University College in Thiruvananthapuram. After the death of his father, he spent four years at home before joining the Jesuit order in 1947.
From the outset of his priestly studies, Fr. Antony was dedicated to assisting the needy. His life was characterized by genuine compassion and efforts to address the problems faced by the poor and marginalized. During his time at the seminary in Shempagannur, Tamil Nadu, he was involved in various activities in nearby villages such as Adakkam, Vilpatti, Poombaar, Pallangi, and Kavinchi. He played a crucial role in establishing the Shempag Social Service Society (S.S.S.), which provided educational facilities and teachers to village residents. This initiative was eventually taken over by the government.
In Kerala, Fr. Antony initiated several developmental activities for backward communities. He established educational facilities and parallel education programs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and initiated small-scale industries for adults on a cooperative basis.
After his ordination in 1958, he was appointed as the parish priest in Madayi, Kannur. In this underdeveloped parish, he undertook various development projects, including the establishment of a cooperative milk society and a thrift program. Following his tenure in Madayi, he focused on the coastal region of Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram. There, he managed several development projects, including a nursery school and parallel education programs for children from one to ten years old. He also initiated small-scale industries such as weaving, bidi rolling, and coir production for women and used cooperative efforts to purchase boats for deep-sea fishing. These initiatives provided numerous unemployed individuals in Poovar with a means of livelihood.
After 19 years of service in Poovar, he moved to Anjuthengil in Thiruvananthapuram district. He purchased land and a building to start a parallel education program for children in this educationally backward area. He organized additional classes and provided educational facilities outside school hours, hiring teachers from outside to ensure quality education. For seven years, he managed this institution, which is now known as Sneharam and continues to thrive.
Fr. Antony also initiated educational projects in Chempur and Mailachen, focusing on providing education to underprivileged children. He constructed buildings, set up educational institutions, and hired teachers to support these efforts. His awareness of the role of arts in education led him to offer training in various artistic disciplines and organize annual cultural and sports events. He even wrote and directed several plays for children, including “The Girl from Samaria” and various social musical dramas.
Due to deteriorating health, he had to withdraw from active service but continues to lead a retired life at the St. Xavier’s Jesuit House in Thumb. Fr. Antony’s steadfast commitment and dedication have set him apart. His perseverance in prayer and gentle approach allowed him to overcome numerous challenges in his field of work. The many initiatives he started continue to serve and support countless individuals to this day.
Leave a Reply