Bishop Ambrose Mathalaimuthu

After remembering our benefactors my German friend, Fr Beisser and Dr N Mahalingam I thought sharing my memories of Bishop Ambrose Mathalaimuthu. From the very start I was conscious that we have to be in touch with the Tamil Church. Therefore after starting Divyodaya in 1980 we visited Bishop Ambrose, whom I used to call Ambrose Andavar. In 1983 for the solemn inauguration of Divyodaya we were able to get both Bishop Irimpen and Bishop Ambrose along with other leaders on the stage. That was a real success especially in the context of the  strained relationship that existed at that time between both dioceses. I used to visit and brief Bishop Amobrose about the developments of Divyodaya  which he liked very much. Some Tamil Fathers used to call me  “Friend of Ambrose”. 

By nature he was not very sociable, did not like to participate in programmes outside. On the other hand the CSI Bishop William Moses was very sociable. He came with me when there were troubles in the city. I used to brief Bishop Ambrose about everything. In 1986 when Pope John Paul visited India a team of Divyodaya members representing Bishop Ambrose went to Chennai to meet the Pope. The visit of Vatican Cardinal Arinze to Divyodaya in 1990 during its Decennial was a great recognition for our mission. Bishop Ambrose asked me to receive the Cardinal in a proper way.

In 1993 for my sacerdotal silver jubilee and my transfer from Divyodaya Bishop Ambrose was present and spoke with great appreciation about Divyodaya and about me. Our Fathers who were present on the occasion were greatly impressed by Bishop’s words of appreciation. When I was novice master I invited Bishop Ambrose to release the Tamil translation of “Nalla Appante Chavarul” translated by Fr Poly Payyappilly.

He allowed the final year theology students from Good Shepherd Seminary, Myleripalayam to come Divyodya to know about this mission.  The programme which started in 1991 still continues. Thus Divyodaya is very much indebted to Bishop Ambrose. The present bishop Thomas Aquinas also has great appreciation for our mission which he expressed when Fr Saju, Provincial, Fr Johnson and myself visited him.