M. M. Thomas

M. M. Thomas or Madathilparampil Mammen Thomas (1916—1996) was an Indian Christian theologian, social thinker, and activist. He served as Governor of the Indian State, Nagaland (1990–1992), and as the Chairperson of the Central Committee of World Council of Churches (1968–1975).

Biography

Thomas was born on 15 May 1916 at Kozhenchery, Kerala India. His father M. M. Mammen was a reformation leader, printer and publisher based in Kozhenchery, Kerala, and was involved in the Independence Movement in India during the Salt Satygraha. His mother was Ooriapadickal Mariamma, a school teacher. He was the eldest of nine children.

Thomas was raised in a Mar Thoma Syrian Church, in which his father was well known evangelist. In 1931, Thomas went to study Chemistry in a college in Trivandrum, Kerala, and had an evangelical spiritual experience. As a consequence, he became active in the Mar Thoma Youth Union and the Student Christian Movement, and became involved in evangelism among low-caste youth. Soon after obtaining his degree in 1935, he accepted the post of a teacher at Ashramam High School, Perumbavoor, run by the Mar Thoma Church, where the teachers used to pay part of their meager salary to the students from poor families. In 1937, instead of taking a lucrative job he went to Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala and started an orphanage there.[1]

Thomas was the first full-time Organizing secretary of Yuvajana Sakhyam (the Youth wing of the Mar Thoma Church) from 1945-47.[2] He applied for ordination in the Mar Thoma Church, but that was rejected because of his membership in Communist party. At the same time he was rejected by the communist party because of his faith.[1]

Thomas became known for his ecumenical work, first being on staff with the World Student Christian Federation in Geneva (1947-1953), then serving as a moderator of the Central committee of the World Council of Churches (1968-1975).[3]

In 1990 he was appointed as Governor of Nagaland, a state with a large number of Christians, but later resigned in 1992.[3]

He was conferred with the honorary doctorate degree by the University of Uppsala in 1978. He was living at Manjadi, Tiruvalla. He died on 3 December 1996 and was laid to rest at Tiruvalla, Kerala.

Works
  1. The acknowledged Christ of the Indian Renaissance (1969 SCM Press, London)
  2. Risking Christ for Christ's Sake
  3. Nagas towards 2000
  4. My Ecumenical Journey 1947-75 (1990)
  5. Response to Tyranny

References
  1. Thomas, M. M. (January 1989). "My Pilgrimage in Mission" (PDF). International Bulletin of Missionary Research. 13 (1): 28–31.
  2. Mathew, N.M. (2008). Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram (Mar Thoma Church History). 3. p. 129.
  3. West, Charles C. (1998). "Thomas, M(adathilparampil) M(ammen)". In Anderson, Gerald H. (ed.). Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions. New York: Macmillan Reference. pp. 666–667.

Further reading
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