New Delhi (CBCI News): Bishop Raphael Thattil, the Apostolic Visitator to the Syro -Malabar Church, and Auxiliary Bishop of Trissur described Capuchin priest Dr. Felix Podimattam a towering scholar and the last word in Moral Theology in India. His works are unparalleled, and each of his books unique and scientific. Bishop Thattil was speaking at a seminar on Bio-Medical Ethics to honour the Capuchin priest and leading moral theologian, Fr. Felix Podimattam, at Jubilee Medical College, Trichur, April 8.
Member of the National Minority Commission and former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Dr. Cyriac Thomas lauded the contribution of the versatile author-theologian for his contributions to moral theology and ethics. Fr. Francis Pallikkunnath, the Director of Jubilee Medical College said Fr. Podmiattam’s books were the chief moral theology resources available in India for several generations of priests like him. We have received a lot from him and are indebted to him.
Once we became priests and had our higher studies and were appointed teachers in seminaries, again, Dr. Podimattam's books were the sole reference materials", said Dr. Hormise Mainatty, Professor of Moral Theology at St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. "Dr. Felix is a person who took positions, challenged the society towards change, but always moved along with the teachings of the Catholic Church, in keeping with his Franciscan Capuchin family traditions" commented Dr. David Francis, Rector of Calvary Philosophical College Trissur.
Dr. David read out the certificate of entry and appreciation by the Limca Book of Records, 2014. "Dr. Felix Mathew Podimattam (b Nov 24, 1934) of Kottayam, Kerala, has written the most number of books on morality and ethics in English -120 - in over 43 years. Starting with the first book Relativity of Natural Law on various themes of morality and ethics, his latest work, a 10-volume set titled the Ten Commandments in the Law of Christ released in 2013.”
An additional 10-volume set of books on Bio-Medical Ethics was released by Dr. Cyriac Thomas, handing over the first set to Fr. Sunil Chiriyankandath, President, CHAI Kerala Region.
Dr. Praveenlal Kuttichira, Dean of Research, University of Health Science, Kerala posed several ethical issues in the Medical field met by the medical practitioners and by the relatives of patients. Mr. V.M. Radhakrishnan, President of Trissur Press Club also posed several medical ethical issues related to Government policies and media practices.