Fr. Varkey Paruvanany (Born in 28th May 1950 – Died on 20th
May 1995) was a Catholic Priest, Missionary and Social worker from Chempanoly,
Vechuchira, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. He was a well-known church
missionary in the state of Odisha's Syro Malabar Missions, where he made a
significant contribution to community improvement and the Charismatic Renewal
movement.
Education:
- Master of Social Work (MSW), Xavier Institute of Social Sciences, Ranchi
- Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.), Jnana Deepa Vidyapeetha, Pune
Life & Career:
Varkeyachan (as he was affectionately known) was accepted
into St John's Mission Seminary, Parel, Changanacherry in 1966 for his
Pre-Degree studies through St. Berrchman's College. After two years of
juniorate at Palda, Indore, he entered the Society's Noviciate at Khurda,
Indore in June 1970 and made his First Religious Profession in 1971. After
receiving a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.) degree from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeetha
in Pune, he went on to Xavier Institute of Social Sciences in Ranchi, where he
earned a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), and after a year of practical
service (Regency) at Seva Sadan in Rourkela, he returned to Jnana Vidyapeetha
for his Theological studies. He was ordained after finishing the same, he was
ordained priest on May Day 1979.
Varkeyachan's missionary service was centred on the
Sambalpur mission in the Eastern Indian Province for the first ten years. His
ordination began as an assistant pastor at the Adibasi (scheduled tribe) parish
of Majahapara and then at the Dalit (scheduled caste) parish of Madhpur,
Orissa. He was so well prepared that he was appointed in 1982 to establish a
new parish in Beherapalli. Soon after, he was transferred to Bargarh as Pastor,
and then to Talcher for the construction and administration of St. Lawrence
School.
Varkeyachan's life was turned upside down when he was
involved in two near-fatal motorbike accidents in December 1988. Though he
suffered serious head injuries and was unconscious for three days, he gradually
recovered, but he was still severely handicapped and could not return to active
ministry. He was sent to try out various physician of systems of medicines
until he found the test of them, Jesus, who required long rest and protracted
medical treatment. Doctors of medicine, pray for the best medicines. This
marked the beginning of the second phase of Varkeyachan's ministry, which was
brief but rich and rewarding, fruitful and fulfilling.
Caught up in the Charismatic Renewal Movement, he never lost
his simple, quiet ways - one of Varkeyachan's distinctive characteristics,
noted for his stark simplicity and frugal ways. For it was his education in
suffering and conviction for their service far and wide that endeared him to so
many. And Mgr George Alencherry, Vicar General of the Arch-Diocese of
Changanacherry, did not exaggerate during his funeral eulogy when he repeatedly
paid glowing tributes to Varkeychan's unsparing pastoral availability, salvific
value, and his ability to reach out to those in pain with the touch of the
Divine Healer.