Father Nidhiry : A Versatile Prodigy.
SIR KNIGHT. K.C. CHACKO,MA;B.E;M.S;K.C.S.G. *
The young men of today who complain of the generation gap and the failure of the older generation to sympathise with them, are really asking the elders a significant and pertinent question: 'Can you cite instances of leadership you consider exemplary for our guidance, inspiration and emulation?'. This is a question which should catch the attention of the elders and leaders of society. The answer lies in presenting to them dynamic examples of stalwart men of vision, integrity, courage, self-confidence, perseverance and determination. The field of their activity may be selective, limited and sectarian, or wide, comprehensive and general. It is immaterial. What youth looks for in them is, whether in handling their respective roles, there were sincerity, imagination, consideration, charity, and dedication. If the answer is "Yes", they are impressed. Good biographies provide this need and satisfy the quest of youth.
Against this background I am happy to introduce this biographical account of Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiry a versatile prodigy who has left his mark in practically every field of the socio-religious life in Kerala; literary, educational, historical, political and above all religious. The author, Mr. Abraham M. Nidhiry, is a close relation of the hero. This relationship was perhaps an embarrasing factor as is seen in the numerous citations he has been at pains to give by way of assuring and re-assuring the reader that there has been no personal element of hero worship prejudicing his views. The result has been a documented, historical, critical assessment of an unusual man-a man much ahead of his times-a man dedicated to the cause of ecumenism and Syrian autonomy in Kerala and shining as a philanthropist transcending all parochial and national limitations.
The history of Fr. Nidhiry is almost legendary; the antiquity, the immigration, the family relations and the early days-they read like enchanting fiction. The story of his struggles on the ecclesiastical plane-it makes startling revelations for this generaiton. One would wish they were better forgotten than recalled. The justification for their narration is the help it gives to project the heroic and prophetic personality of the Father who, by all norms, measures up to the requirements of a model for posterity.
I have intentionally said 'prophetic personality'; for many of Fr. Nidhiry's dreams and ambitions fructified, though posthumously. To cite but one or two instances: was not the excited and almost frantic rush of the Holy Father Pope John of Blessed Memory towards his separated brethren anticipated by the Father in his incessant efforts for an understanding with his separated brethren in Malabar? Are not the numerous colleges we see in this state the fulfilment, though belated, of his dream for a college at Kottayam?
The Catholics of Malabar have always held up before me the image of an abiding faith. There may have been 'dropouts'-even schisms on a large scale. But, thank God, the pendulum has been swinging back, mostly to old positions. The progeny of St. Thomas shall not in the long run be found wanting. "Let us go and die with Him" was the exhortation of the premier vineyard-raiser here. No wonder there grew in this vienyard imperishable plants like Fr. Nidhiry. In the storms of the previous centuries, they were massive anchors of faith. They lit their
lamps and held them aloft-for all to see. The compliments showered on Fr. Nidhiry by the secular press and non-Catholic leaders, chronicled effectively in these pages, bespeak the splender of the image they held up before an ordinarily sceptical world.
I need not anticipate the character sketch of Father Nidhiry which the author has so beautifully drawn in this history of a man who made history in Kerala and who was always anxious to see that others maintained true historical perspectives.
The memory of such a great soul who was raised in our midst should inspire us to face the future with faith and perseverance in building up a rightful heritage established so painfully. Christian charity should make us forget the unfortunate tensions of the past, forminginterludes in this big and great story.
*Abrhaham M. Nidhiry; Father Nidhiry;A history of his times :– pp 12-16