Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-102
Fr. Domitian Manikkathan CMI
Fr. Domitian Manikkathan, a prominent theologian, educator, and journalist, was born on December 14, 1929, to the parents Ouseph and Anna in Thannippuzha, Kaladikkuth. After completing high school, he joined the C.M.I. congregation in 1950. He took his solemn vows on October 15, 1952, and was ordained as a priest on May 17, 1963. He studied theology at Dharmaram College and earned an M.A. in Malayalam literature from Kerala University. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Journalism from Marquette University in the USA and gained general knowledge in Sanskrit.
He served as the chief editor of the family magazine “Kudumbadeepam” for 12 years. In recognition of his comprehensive contributions to the Church and the community through “Kudumbadeepam,” he received the Jubilee Award during its platinum jubilee celebrations. Fr. Domitian was a language teacher at Tevara College for 18 years and served as a general counselor for the C.M.I. congregation and as a corporate manager for schools. From 1987 to 1989, he was the associate editor of the Thrissur edition of “Deepika.”
He served for three years as the manager of Tevara College and three years as the rector of Dharmaram College. His work in priestly training earned him widespread respect. He was also the head of several C.M.I. congregations, including Tevara’s Thiruhrudaya Ashram. He is known as an excellent retreat speaker.
Fr. Domitian devoted a long time to educational publications and served as a parish priest from 2002 to 2005. He described his time as a priest as the sweetest years of his life, experiencing full cooperation from parishioners and youth. He successfully addressed various issues in meetings of the parish council and family unit leaders, striving to make all matters clear. He paid special attention to the youth, the elderly, and the sick in his parish.
Fr. Domitian has authored five books. The citation in the Kudumbadeepam Platinum Jubilee Award states: “Fr. Domitian’s mature prose style is distinctive. He has always been guided by a sense of moral consciousness and justice. His writing tradition directly engages the reader’s soul. He has authored several collections of articles and translations. ‘Kudumbaaramam’ is a notable family life book he edited, compiling numerous articles to guide families.”
His works include:
Ente Muṟṟuttimūnnāṃ Vayas (translation) – A translation of a prominent German work about events in Germany after World War II.
Kudumbaaramam (collection of articles)
Dāmpatya Praśnaṅṅaḷ (discussion collection)
Kerala Vocation Directory 1982 (editor)
Kerala Sabha Deepam (collection of articles)
Multiple editions of both Kudumbaaramam and Kerala Sabha Deepam have been published.
