Placid J. Podipara

Who was Placid J. Podipara?

Father Placid J Podipara or Placidachan is an Eminent Scholar in East Syriac language and liturgy.He is considered as one of the greatest ecclesiastical luminaries of the 20th century in India. He was a member of the Syro Malabar Church and was ordained a priest from the Eastern Catholic religious institute of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. He was an eminent theologian, liturgist, orator, professor, ecumenist, prolific author and a caring pastor.

He worked hard to remove the rampant liturgical latinisation of Syro Malabar Church and also was instrumental in bringing the Syro Malankara Church to the Catholic fold.

He has authored more than thirty seven books and numerous articles on Saint Thomas Christians in many languages such as English, Malayalam, German and Latin.

Some of the important offices which he held include Member of the Pontifical commission for codifying Canon Law, Syriac Language examiner of Kerala University, Consultant to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Member of Pontifical commission for restoring the Holy Qurbana of Syro Malabar Church, Professor of Pontifical Oriental Institute and Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, Consultant for preparing the agenda of Second Vatican Council. He also had doctorates in Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law which he acquired during his first stint in Rome.