Series: Abraham Adappur (1926-2022)

Fr. Abraham Adappur, SJ (1926–2022) was a distinguished Indian Jesuit priest, theologian, and writer, renowned for his intellectual contributions and commitment to cultural dialogue. Born in 1926 in Arakkuzha, a village in the erstwhile princely state of Cochin, he was the eldest of six siblings in the Adappur family.

Fr. Adappur joined the Society of Jesus in 1944 and was ordained a priest in 1959. He pursued advanced studies in counseling psychology at Marquette University in the United States and earned a doctorate from a French university through a government scholarship. His academic journey also included serving as the regional secretary for South Asia at the Jesuit General’s administrative office in Rome.

A prolific writer and orator, Fr. Adappur authored several books in English and Malayalam, including Ernest turned Arnos, a biography of Arnos Pathiri. He contributed numerous articles to major publications in both languages and was fluent in French, Latin, and Italian. Notably, he was among the first to introduce Mother Teresa to the people of Kerala through his article “Ezhakulude Thozhi” (“Friend of the Destitute”), which garnered a personal thank-you letter from Mother Teresa herself.

Fr. Adappur’s intellectual pursuits were deeply rooted in his Christian convictions. He engaged in constant dialogue with the secular world, presenting Christian theology and doctrines in a secular style. His writings often focused on human values, cultural development, and the critique of ideologies such as communism, which he believed rejected human values and freedom.

He passed away on December 3, 2022, at Christ Hall, Kozhikode, at the age of 96.

Fr. Adappur’s legacy endures through his writings and the profound impact he had on the intellectual and cultural life of Kerala. His unique blend of philosophical insight and spiritual commitment continues to inspire many.

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