Kuriakose Elias Chavara: A True Son of the Church

Abstract

Narrating and reflecting on the immense contributions of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara for the Church and its unity and growth, Jossy Maria presents him as a true son of the Church. In the present article, the author discusses the special situation of the Kerala church at the time of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara who believed that the society will become prosperous when the families are integrated and women’s welfare has been assured and those who are at the periphery are thoroughly motivated for development. Therefore, all these four aspects are unfolded gradually. The present essay forms the first part of her study, and it reflects on the social vision of Chavara and the ecclesial situation in the nineteenth century Kerala, his contributions as the Vicar General of Saint Thomas Christians, and Chavara as a man of wider ecclesial vision. This article has a second part which would appear in the next issue.