Bishop of Pala calls upon Catholic educational institutions to preserve their spiritual identity, uphold truth and become instruments of Christ’s compassionate love
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PALAI, November 7: Education must go beyond the transmission of information and the acquisition of professional qualifications to become a transformative process of forming the human person, Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Pala, has said.
Addressing a gathering of Catholic educationists and representatives of higher educational institutions associated with the Xavier Board of Higher Education in India, the Bishop emphasised that the fundamental responsibility of Christian education is to nurture individuals who embody grace, compassion, truth and the values of Christ.
Referring to the spiritual significance of the tomb of Saint Alphonsa at Bharananganam, he observed that it has become an important centre of spirituality, attracting thousands of pilgrims from different parts of India who come to participate in the Holy Eucharist, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and venerate the tomb of the saint.
The tomb, he said, stands as an icon of sanctity and a powerful testimony to how a life rooted in God’s grace can inspire countless people.
Drawing a connection between the spirituality of Saint Alphonsa and the mission of Catholic education, Bishop Kallarangatt said that the essential purpose of education is not simply to produce professionally qualified individuals but to form the whole person.
“Education is not simply the transmission of information or the acquisition of professional qualifications; it is fundamentally a process of forming the human person,” he observed. He appreciated the Xavier Board’s contribution to Catholic higher education across the country, noting that its work reaches different regions and communities through a spirit of grace and social commitment.
Grace gives life to educational institutions
Highlighting the importance of preserving the spiritual identity of educational institutions, the Bishop cautioned that institutions could gradually lose their vitality if they became disconnected from their founding vision and spiritual foundations.
He compared such institutions to trees that remain standing outwardly but have dried up within. Although they retain their external appearance, they have lost their inner life. An institution, he explained, is a living body with its own principles, orientation and distinctive way of functioning. Its vitality comes from remaining faithful to its foundational values and purpose.
He emphasised that grace must remain an integral dimension of Catholic educational identity. Removing the supernatural dimension from Christian life would leave it deprived of its essential character. The Bishop also appreciated the deliberations and contributions of the Xavier Board’s leadership and members, particularly their efforts to strengthen the spiritual and educational orientation of Catholic institutions.
Truth must remain at the heart of tradition
Referring to the well-known saying attributed to St. Cyprian, “Customs without truth are simply errors grown old,” Bishop Kallarangatt underlined the importance of ensuring that traditions and institutional practices remain connected to their original meaning and truth. He cautioned against allowing religious customs and institutional practices to become mere formalities without their underlying spiritual substance.
Catholic educational institutions, he said, must preserve not merely established traditions but the truth, values and vision that give those traditions their meaning. The challenge is to ensure that institutional practices genuinely contribute to the formation of individuals and the fulfilment of the educational mission of the Church.
The Good Samaritan: A model of Christ’s compassionate love
Reflecting on the Gospel passage about the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke, the Bishop offered a profound theological interpretation of the parable. He pointed out that without the wounded man lying on the roadside, the beautiful story of the Good Samaritan would never have unfolded. The suffering stranger becomes central to the revelation of compassion and neighbourly love.
The Good Samaritan, he explained, represents Jesus Christ in His saving mission to the world. Christ approaches wounded humanity with compassion, heals its wounds and restores its dignity. The Bishop invited those involved in Catholic education to recognise their own mission in this example. The call of Jesus, “Go and do likewise,” is not merely an invitation to perform occasional acts of kindness. It is a call to become Christ-like in one’s life and mission.
He used the expressions Alter Christus (another Christ) and Alter Ecclesia (another Church) to describe the responsibility of Christians and Christian institutions to make Christ and the compassionate presence of the Church visible in the world.
Just as the Good Samaritan poured oil and wine on the wounds of the injured man, Christian institutions are called to become instruments of healing and restoration through their educational, spiritual and social ministries. The oil and wine, he explained, also carry a sacramental significance, pointing towards the healing and saving grace communicated through the sacraments of the New Testament.
Beyond legalism to compassionate love
Bishop Kallarangatt further observed that the institutions and legal structures of the Old Testament, represented in the parable by those who passed by the wounded man, were unable to provide the compassionate response he needed.
What was required was not merely an observance of rules but a heart filled with mercy.
Referring to the Greek concept of splagchnizomai, which expresses deep, heartfelt compassion, he highlighted the importance of compassionate love as the foundation of Christian service.
He also recalled the Gospel account of the wedding at Cana, where Mary notices that the wine has run out and approaches Jesus. Her concern reflects the attentive and compassionate love that recognises human needs and seeks their fulfilment.
The Bishop challenged educational institutions to move beyond indifference and become attentive to the wounds of society.
He raised a fundamental question emerging from the parable: Are we truly neighbours to the people around us?
The Good Samaritan demonstrates that being a neighbour is not determined by social identity, religious affiliation or geographical proximity. It is determined by the willingness to approach another person’s suffering with compassion and act to restore human dignity.
Catholic institutions called to become instruments of healing
Drawing parallels between the wounded man in the Gospel and the challenges faced by contemporary society, the Bishop observed that individuals and communities can become wounded by accusations, injustice, misunderstandings, unqualified judgements and continuing conflicts.
In such circumstances, Christian institutions must not become indifferent observers. They must offer healing through truth, reconciliation, compassion and responsible engagement.
He called upon the participants to communicate the mystery of Christ’s Cross to the intellectual community and wider society through their educational mission.
The Cross, he indicated, is not merely a symbol of suffering but the ultimate expression of God’s self-giving and compassionate love.
Catholic educational institutions have a responsibility to translate this love into concrete action, particularly in the lives of those who experience exclusion, suffering and social disadvantage.
A call to embody Christ in institutional life
Concluding his address, Bishop Kallarangatt expressed his appreciation for the gathering and for the participation of Church leaders and members of the educational community.
He particularly appreciated the presence and participation of the senior Church leadership, describing it as a grace-filled moment and an expression of the spirit that should animate the mission of the Church.
He encouraged the participants to live out their vocation by becoming Alter Christus and Alter Ecclesia — living witnesses to Christ and manifestations of the Church’s compassionate presence in society.
His message offered a profound reflection on the mission of Catholic higher education: institutions must remain spiritually alive, faithful to truth and deeply responsive to the suffering of humanity.
Education fulfils its Christian purpose when it does not merely inform the mind but transforms the heart, enabling individuals and institutions to become instruments of Christ’s healing, compassion and love
