My Life

Unassuming, hospitable and generous are the outstanding characteristics of Fr. Varghese Paul, S.J. Having worked with him at the Catholic Information Service Society (C.I.S.S.) for 8 years I have personally seen and experienced his hospitality and generosity. But it was only while collecting information for this article that I realized how unassuming he was when I was faced with the very impressive list of his past achievements of which he hardly ever speakers.

Fr Varghese Paul, a native of Kerala was born on May 31, 1943 in a very religious family. He joined the Gujarat Jesuit Province in 1963 and was ordained in 1977.

Fr Varghese did his B.A. in Gujarati and Sanskrit from St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad. Then followed Philosophy at Janna Deep Vidyapeet, Pune and Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome. He got his Diploma in Journalism in London, which embarked him on his journalistic career.

Fr Varghese has learnt ten languages and traveled to more than 30 countries in connection with his studies and journalistic work. No wonder his hobbies are reading, writing and traveling. His favourite authors are Kanaiyalal Munshi, Kaka Kalekar, Bhupat Vadodariya and Fr Carlos Valles SJ.

Fr Varghese has been the Editor of DOOT, the Gujarati Jesuit owned magazine, for 15 year. His editorial articles have later been published into two of his first books. He also has to his credit an impressive list of posts that he had held down the year in the journalistic world.

He was Secretary of Jesuits in Social Communication (JESCOM - South Asia) for 8 year and secretary of JESCOM (Gujarat Jesuit Province) for 6 year. Thereafter president of SACPA (South Asia Catholic Press Association) for 3 year, vice president of FIAC (International Federation of Catholic News Agencies) for 3 year, vice President IFCP (International Federation of Catholic Periodicals) for 3 year. Founder Director of SAR News (South Asian Religious news Services) based in Delhi for 4 years.

Since 1984 till today Fr Varghess in the founder Director of the Catholic Information Service Society (C.I.S.S.). Presently he is also president of the Gujarat Christian press Council (GCPC) and of the Gujarat Catholic press Association (GCPA). Earlier he was a Bureau member of the International Catholic Union of the press and now for the past several years he is a council Member of the international Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP).

Every week a widely circulated Gujarat daily in Gujarati SAMBHAAV published from Ahmedabad carries his articles on social issues, family life and on topics of interest to Youth.

Two big secular publishers R R Sheth & Co. Ahmedabad-Mumbai And Rannade prakashan, Ahmedabad have subsequently published most of these articles in fifteen of his books. He also writes articles some times in English for the EXAMINER of Mumbai and some foreign periodicals. He reports for SAR news regarding news about and of interest to the Church in south Asia.

Worthy of mention is Fr Varghese Paul's Article on "Solidarity with Refugees" Which won him an international award from the Geneva based International Catholic Union of the press (UCIP). He received a citation and a cash award of Rs. 24000/- in Switzerland in September 2001.

Fr Varghese Paul has also received Gira Gurjari first prize for his book "Premni Sanskrit" in the category of literary essay from the Kala Gurjari Trust. Mumbai.

As a Jesuit journalist with an eye on social justice Fr Varghese is keen on training young people from backward communities as journalists to enter the mass media. With this in mind he conducts an In-Service Training Programme for three to six young people at the office as trainees who also attend the journalism course at the Bhavan's College. Ahmedabad.

Ever hospitable, he entertains his visitors and guests at the office with true Indian hospitality. Unassuming, hospitable and generous are the other names of Fr Varghese. May he keep it up for the greater glory of God!