The History of Pontifical Institute of Theology, Alwaye is associated with that of the St Joseph Pontifical Seminaries of Mangalapuzha and Carmelgiri, in Aluva. It goes back to a Seminary started at Varapuzha (Verapoly) in 1682 by the Carmelite Missionaries sent by Pope Alexandar VII for the formation of Latin and Syrian Clergy. This Seminary was shifted to Puthenpally in 1866 which was constituted as the Central and Common Seminary for the whole of Malabar in 1890 and was placed under the direction of the Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples in Rome. It was again shifted to a new Seminary built with better accommodation facilities at Mangalapuzha, Aluva on 28 January, 1933. Due to increased number of students, the Philosophy formation was moved to the new building at Carmelgiri, which was inaugurated on 24 November, 1955. In 1964, the Seminary was raised to the ‘Pontifical’ status by the Holy See. In June 12, 1976, the direction and administration of the Pontifical Seminary was transferred from the Carmelites to the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.
Studium Theologicum affiliated to Lateran University, Rome
The academic formation of the Pontifical Institute in the Seminary was a gradual process. On 7th October 1959, the Theology section of the Seminary was affiliated with the Lateran University in Rome by a Decree of the Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education) in Rome, whereby it became “Studium Theologicum”. It was governed according to the norms given by the University and by a convention between the Rector of the Lateran University and the Rector of the Seminary. The Canonical Degree in Theology was granted by the Lateran University.
Erection of the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Alwaye
Following the request of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council in April 1971 for an autonomous Faculty, the Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education), on 24th February 1972, issued the Decree (Prot.No.1149/70/58) erecting the Theological Faculty in the Pontifical Seminary with all the rights and privileges of Theological Faculties, especially the power to confer suitable Degrees to the qualified and eligible students. It was officially inaugurated with the name ‘The Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy Alwaye,’ on 15thFebruary 1973 by His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr John Gordon, the then Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to India. The Rector of the Seminary was also then the President of the Institute.
Department of Philosophy
On 1st October 1974 the Congregation Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education) issued a Decree (Prot. No. 1149/70/94) authorising the Pontifical Institute to confer Diploma in Philosophy and Bachelor of Philosophy, thereby erecting the Department of Philosophy (cf. also letter from the Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education), dated 03April 2020, Prot. No. 68/2020).
Reorganisation of the Pontifical Institute
On 25thApril 1997, through a Decree, the Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education) separated the Pontifical Institute from the Pontifical Seminary which was recognized into two independent St Joseph Pontifical Seminaries of Mangalapuzha and Carmelgiri. The post of the President of the Institute was also therefore separated from the Rector of the Seminaries (CCE, 07 October 1996, Prot.No.4368/96).
Central Administrative Office and Registration of Trust
The dream of the Pontifical Institute to have its own Central Administrative Office building was realized in its own land with partial financial support of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference and being inaugurated and blessed by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the Chancellor of the Institute, on 17th March 2021. Later, on 27th August 2021, the Pontifical Institute, Alwaye got registered as a Public Religious and Charitable Trust in the Sub Registrar Office, Aluva. In the same year the Pontifical Institute has also got the 12A Registration from the Income Tax Department of the Government of India. Presently, the Pontifical Institute functions in two Campuses of Mangalapuzha and Carmelgiri Seminaries. The foundation stone of the new construction for the Post Graduate Residential Block was laid on 25th June, 2022. The Post Graduate Residential Block is under construction adjacent to the central administrative office since 06th October, 2022.
Aggregation with JD Institute, Pune
Attempts were made for establishing Cycle II in Philosophy, the permission of which was granted in 2015. During the Jubilee year, the process of aggregating Philosophy section of Pontifical Institute, Alwaye with the Faculty of Philosophy of the Jnana Deepa (JD) Institute for Philosophy and Theology (Pontifical Athenaeum), Pune, has been initiated in March, 2022. On 5th August, 2024, Dicastery for Culture and Education erected the St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy Alwaye, aggregated to Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology Pune and thus the Institute is able to hold the Licentiate Programme in Philosophy, which is first of its kind in Kerala.
