KUNJETTAN (P. C. ABRAHAM)

P.C. Abraham, popularly known as Kunjettan (little brother), who founded Cherupushpa Mission League, died on Aug. 11 in a hospital in Kerala nine days after he was involved in a road accident. The funeral was on Aug. 13 at Chemmalamattam, his native parish in Pala diocese. Kunjettan was 84 and survived by his wife and seven children.

I mourn the death of a person who led such an ideal Christian life, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop of Syro-Malabar Church and President of the C.B.C.I, said in his condolence message. The prelate recalled that Kunjettan had inspired thousands of young people to become missioners working in India and abroad.The cardinal said the Indian Church had honored Abraham for his contributions to the Cherupushpa Mission League he founded 63 years ago.

CML is a forum for young people in parishes that helps missions by raising funds and offering prayers. It conducts regular programs on the life and needs of missions in India and overseas. The league has some 1.7 million members and about 41,500 of its former members are now nuns and priests serving the Church throughout the world. Among them are 37 bishops. Three of Kunjettan's four daughters are nuns.

Kunjettans death is a great loss for the Church in India, said Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam of Changanasserry in his condolence message. The archbishop, a former Mission League member, hailed Kunjettan as a unique lay missioner who was the lifeblood of his lay organization. Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt of Kottayam noted that the late lay missioner led a simple life and was inspired by the teachings of a local saint, St. Alphonsa.

Kunjettan's home village was near Bharananganam where St. Alphonsa, spent the last 10 years of her life. In an interview, Kunjettan recalled how the saint used to ask him to pray for missioners whenever he went to seek her blessings.

Retired Bishop Joseph Pallikaparampil of Pala, mourning Abrahams death, noted the layman spent six decades nurturing the growth of the Mission League. He met with his accident while on a League-related journey.

The Church has lost a big missioner, he said.Bishop Jacob Manathodath of Palghat said Kunjettan had sacrificed his entire life in selflessly serving the Indian Churchs missionary apostolate.

Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal of Kannur said Kunjettan played a leading role in maintaining the mission spirit in Kerala. According to him, the Mission League has been most instrumental in producing religious vocations in Kerala. A sizeable number of priests and nuns working in Indias 160 dioceses come from this state.

Thousands of CML members including former National President Justice Kurian Joseph, National-State-Diocesan Leaders, have participated in the burial ceremony of Kunjettan held at Chemmelamattom. CML prepared a special tomb at Chemmalamattom Church Cemetery for Kunjettan.