Kannur: People across Kerala, especially within the Syro-Malabar Church, are grieving the loss of Rev. Dr. Michael Karimattam, a highly respected priest of the Thalassery Archdiocese and one of the most distinguished biblical scholars of the Church. He passed away at a private hospital in Karuvanchal at the age of 83. Known for his deep knowledge of the Scriptures, his humble nature, and his remarkable ability to make the Word of God simple and accessible to the common faithful, Fr. Karimattam leaves behind a rich legacy of spiritual and intellectual contributions that transformed the biblical landscape of the Malayalam-speaking Church. His funeral will be held tomorrow.

Born in Koluthuvayal in Kannur district, Fr. Karimattam dedicated his entire life to the service of the Word. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1968, in Rome. During his first year of theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalapuzha, the then Bishop of Thalassery, Mar Sebastian Valloppilly, recognizing his academic talent and spiritual depth, sent him to Rome for higher studies. He spent 15 years there, earning his Doctorate in Biblical Sciences from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. In May 1979, he returned to Kerala and was appointed to the Pastoral Orientation Centre (POC) in Ernakulam. In January 1980, he became one of the three chief editors of the Malayalam Bible translation project, which later became the well-known POC Malayalam Bible. This translation, completed after years of scholarly work, was released on December 31, 1981, marking a major milestone in Malayalam Christian literature and the history of the Catholic Church in Kerala.

In June 1982, Fr. Karimattam returned to the Thalassery Archdiocese and was placed in charge of the newly established Bible Apostolate. With a missionary spirit and deep pastoral concern, he travelled from parish to parish in his jeep, distributing Bibles and encouraging people to read and meditate on Scripture. To make the Bible affordable and easily accessible to every household, he introduced an innovative system called “Bible Kurikal,” in which parishioners could obtain a Bible by paying just five rupees per week for eight weeks. This effort significantly increased the availability of the Bible among ordinary Christians and strengthened faith formation at the grassroots level.

Fr. Karimattam was also a prolific writer whose works brought the Scriptures closer to the lives of ordinary people. His most notable books include “Parajitharude Suvishesham” (The Gospel of the Defeated), “Veeduvizhungunnavarum Chillikkaashum,” “Vishwasathinte Verukal” (Roots of Faith), “Athmakkalude Lokam” (The World of Souls), “Kaanappuram,” “Kurishinte Suvisheshom” (The Gospel of the Cross), “Gurumozhikal,” and “Velipadapusthakam Oru Vyakhyanam” (A Commentary on the Book of Revelation). Through his writings, Fr. Karimattam made the profound messages of the Bible easily understandable to lay readers, blending scholarship with simplicity. His “Bible Theerthadanam” (Bible Pilgrimage) commentary series was published in six volumes annually, each issue having a print run of about 10,000 copies, many of which were reprinted due to their wide popularity.

In 1997, Fr. Karimattam joined the Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor, where he founded a Bible College to help deepen the scriptural knowledge of the faithful. He served there until 2002, playing a key role in the formation of numerous lay leaders and religious students. It was during this period that he wrote “Atmakkalude Lokam,” a book that addressed and corrected misleading spiritual teachings being circulated by contemporary movements such as “Spirit in Jesus.” Later, he moved to the Mary Matha Seminary in Thrissur at the invitation of Fr. Raphael Thattil, who is now the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. There, Fr. Karimattam continued to teach and guide seminarians, nurturing a new generation of priests and religious scholars.

Even after reaching the retirement age of 75 in 2017, he continued to serve at the request of Church authorities and fellow priests. In 2022, after turning 80, he retired to the Thalassery Archdiocesan Priests’ Home for a quiet and prayerful life. The Syro-Malabar Church recognized his lifelong dedication by conferring on him the honorary title of “Malpan” in 2022, a rare distinction given to priests of exceptional teaching and theological excellence.

Apart from his ministry and academic work, Fr. Karimattam was a familiar presence on Christian television networks such as Shalom TV, Goodness TV, Jeevan TV, and on YouTube platforms, where his talks reached thousands. His calm voice and clear explanations made complex biblical themes understandable even to children and simple believers. He published more than 50 books, several booklets, and numerous articles in leading spiritual journals.

Throughout his lifetime, Fr. Karimattam received many awards in recognition of his contributions to Christian faith, education, and literature, including the K.C.B.C. Media Commission’s Darshanika Award, the John Kunnappally Award, and the Kundukulam Award. These honors reflected not only his scholarship but also his pastoral sensitivity and his ability to communicate deep truths with clarity and compassion.

In his final days, while being treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Karuvanchal, Fr. Karimattam wrote a moving message to his fellow priests and friends. In that letter, he reflected on his approaching death with serenity and faith, writing, “I feel I am preparing for the journey to the Heavenly Father’s embrace. I have run the good race, I have finished the course. I thank God for His grace that has guided me all my life. I have no resentment toward anyone  only love and gratitude. I now wait for the gates of Heaven to open and to hear the voice, ‘You are welcome home.’” His words, filled with humility and hope, reveal the heart of a priest who lived and died in complete trust in God.

Fr. Dr. Michael Karimattam’s life stands as a powerful testimony of faith, dedication, and scholarship. He was a priest who served the Church with unwavering love and who gave his entire life to spreading the Word of God. His teachings, writings, and sermons will continue to inspire countless faithful for generations. The Church remembers him not only as a scholar and teacher but as a gentle shepherd who lived the Gospel he preached. As the faithful bid farewell, his voice continues to echo through the hearts of those who learned from him, read his words, and experienced his profound love for Scripture. Fr. Karimattam, the Malpan of the Word, has returned to the Father’s house, leaving behind a legacy that will remain forever in the history of the Syro-Malabar Church.