The Beginnings

The History of Pontifical Institute of Theology in 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 in 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 of Theology in Alwaye 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). The Institute got its own administrative structure and new Statutes were sent to Rome in 2000.

Academic Collaboration with University in Leuven

Pontifical Institute has an academic collaboration with the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium, with an agreement dated 18 May 2015, with effect from 01 October 2015.

Approval of the Statutes

Complying with the mandate of the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Francis, Veritatis Gaudium, of 8th December, 2017, the Pontifical Institute drew up its Statues with Plan of Studies for various academic programmes, which got the approval of CCE on 13th January, 2021. This became yet another milestone in the development of the Pontifical Institute of Theology, Alwaye.

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 Trustin 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.

Academic Programmes of the Pontifical Institute

St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy Alwaye currently offers programmes for Bachelor of Philosophy and Pontifiacal Institute of Theology in Alwaye offers Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctorate in the Faculty of Theology. Following the recommendation of Veritatis Gaudium (Art. 76 § 2), Pontifiacal Institute of Theology in Alwaye confers a Diploma in Pastoral Courses to the candidates of Priesthood on completion of thePastoral Course, since 2020. The Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education) in Rome approved Licentiate in Biblical Theology to be conducted with a propaedeutic year from 2022-2023 onwards.

Golden Jubilee of the Pontifical Institute

Raised in 1972 to the status of the Pontifical Institute of Theology, Alwaye, the Pontifical Institute celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the academic year, 2022-23. The Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education (the erstwhile Congregation for Catholic Education), inaugurated by a video message the Golden Jubilee Public Function, which took place at Mangalapuzha Campus on 11th July 2022. It was celebrated with colourful academic events. The Solemn Conclusion of the Jubilee was inaugurated by Sri Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, at Carmelgiri Campus on 17th January 2023 at 4pm; the Institute Day celebration was then followed.

Pontifical Institute During 2023-24

The new Bishops Rt Rev. Dr. Ambrose Puthenveettil, the Bishop of Kottapuram, and the Auxiliary Bishop-Elect Msgr. Dr Antony Valunkal were the Teaching Faculty of this Institute. 70 students of this Institute were ordained priests. Dr. Binu Thomas Thadathilputhenveetil from the Archdiocese of Thalassery joined this Institute in Systematic Theology this year, and thus totaling 35 Teaching Faculty and 40 Visiting Faculty. Three Associate professors were promoted as Professors: Prof. Jose Oliapurath, Prof. Sebastian Matew Villukulam and Prof. Paul Komban. Dr. Bijoy Augustine Marotickal, Dr. Augustine Kallely, Dr. David Nanatt and Dr. Sinto Chittilappilly are promoted as Associate Professors. Three professors who completed over 25 years of their teaching service in this Institute are proud of this Institute. They are Prof. Tomy Kakkattuthadathil, Prof. Vincent Kundukulam and Prof. Chacko Puthenpurackal; all were former Presidents of the Institute. Three students obtained doctorate this year. New B.Th. and B.Ph. Syllabus were published this year. The annual subscription of the ATLA Online Database renewed. Amendments to the General Statutes of the Pontifical Institute of Theology and the New Philosophy Statutes in view of Aggregation sent to Rome and JD Pune respectively. The Golden Jubilee Souvenir was released during Senate Meeting on 28 February, 2023. Fr Pius Perera, Dr. Dijo Mathews Olekengil and Dr. Augustine Steejan OCD defended their doctoral theses. Fr Zacharias Publications Trust was registered to manage the publications of the Institute on 30 May, 2024.

Faculty of Theology in 2024-2025

Among the total number of 376 students of Theology Faculty this year, besides the B.Th. and Pastoral Course students, 45 Licentiate students and 18 Doctorate students are pursuing their studies.

There are students studying from 31 dioceses including 3 Dioceses of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Indian Orthodox) and 1 Diocese of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church (Indian Orthodox) and from 41 Religious Congregations. 9 lay students in Degree and Licentiate and 1 in Doctorate are pursuing their studies here.