Special SupplementSpecial Supplement

Exclusive Interview with Fr Thomas Reddy, SJ

regarding his latest book

Exclusive Interview with Fr Thomas Reddy, SJ

regarding his latest book

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADSARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADS

1.What inspired you to write the History of the

Church in Bombay?

This book is the labou

2. Why do you think that the history of the church

is important?

r of my doctoral work. Since I

had been working in the Archives of the Society of

Jesus as a Director I happened to come across original

documentation in the Archives, on the problems of the

East Indians with regards to the functioning of

Padroado priests in Bombay Archdiocese.

History of the Church gives us the story of our

Past. Knowing the past history can help us avoiding

the pitfall again in the Present and future. Beside

knowing past keeps up the continuity in the catholic

community between the present and

the future. This certainly is one important reason. One also

sees the growth or progress made by church in the last th

20 centuries. Studying Church history helps us to know our

strong points and our limitations our heritage, the good the bad

and the ugly. We can learn to accept our story in all humanness.

Well the special features of this book and history is that I have

been able to bring out the struggle of common people who (the

East Indian of Vasai and Thane) expressed their need of doing

away with the Padroado Jurisdiction, in order to make

progress intellectually, socially, financially and emotionally.

I expect that the readers have a better understanding as to the

Double Jurisdiction problem. The decision made by Rome

was for the good of the Catholics at large in the Archdiocese of

Bombay. There are no taking side one against other Padroado

against the Propaganda.

Since the book is written in a

research manner the impact would

be one of Informative knowledge

rendered to those who read it. The

story that unfolds itself brings out

the human state of the Holy Church

and its leaders. A lesson to all of us as

to what to do and what

not to do.

3. What are some of the special features of this book?

4. What are your expectations from your readers?

5. What is the expected impact of this book on a larger

community?

Special SupplementSpecial SupplementDecember 2014December 2014

6. Is there something the church at large can

learn from the history of the church in Bombay?

7. Your joys and struggles in bringing out this

book?

The church at large can learn the lesson of being

humble and not having infighting amongst

themselves as to the Jurisdiction they held. We are all

serving the same Lord and so we need to be broad

minded and not narrow minded. We should not be

politically motivated but God motivated. We should

not be selfish but selfless at the service of our flock.

It was a long discernment that I had to undergo. I

learnt to sit and spend many hours to polish and get

this book for printing. I was extremely happy that I

could mange sitting long hours. It was shooting my

blood pressure when my printer was taking His own

sweet time to print it. I learnt to be patient and persevering not

loosing my cool. The final joy is to see it has been published

finally. The appreciation and positive feed back from my

Jesuits and friends were positive.

Do not give up stick to writing and it will pay off.

8. Your Message for our readers...

December 2014December 2014 Special SupplementSpecial Supplement

Thomas Reddy, SJThomas Reddy, SJ

Doctorate in Church History (from Gregorian University, Rome)

Doctorate in Church History (from Gregorian University, Rome)

Diploma from Vatican Archives on Archival studies.

Diploma from Vatican Archives on Archival studies.

Teaches Church History @Regina Mundi, Rome,

JDV, Pune Goregoan Seminary.

Teaches Church History @Regina Mundi, Rome,

JDV, Pune Goregoan Seminary.

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADSARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADS