Father Xavier Vadakkekara: A Visionary Journalist and Media Leader Passes Away at 72

Capuchin Father Xavier Vadakkekara, a renowned Catholic journalist who overcame partial blindness to revitalize Indian Currents, India’s leading Church weekly, and mentor numerous young journalists, passed away on March 16 at the age of 72.

He breathed his last at 11:35 p.m. at Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment for acute respiratory insufficiency. His funeral service will take place at 3:30 p.m. on March 18 at Khrist Raja Church in Dasna, Masuri, Uttar Pradesh. As per his wishes, his body will be donated to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Bishop Henry D’Souza of Bellary, chairman of the Office of Social Communication under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, expressed his deep sorrow at Father Xavier’s passing. “He was a person with keen intellect and committed media person. He was people-friendly and compassionate. In his death the Church in India has lost an excellent media person with Christian values,” the bishop said.

Father Suresh Mathew, a fellow Capuchin priest and former editor of Indian Currents, praised Father Xavier as “a trailblazing Capuchin priest, journalist, and media leader who left an indelible mark on the Catholic media landscape in India.”

Recalling Father Xavier’s contributions, Father Mathew noted, “He was a driving force behind the Catholic Church’s efforts to engage with the world through the media. His visionary leadership, intellectual curiosity, and passion for social justice inspired a generation of Catholic journalists, writers, and thinkers.”

1998. J. Philip, a veteran journalist who worked closely with Father Xavier, highlighted his role in transforming Indian Currents. The weekly, founded by Father John Vallamattom as a publication of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, faced financial difficulties and was on the verge of closure when Father Xavier took over as editor in 1998.

Under his stewardship, the publication became a platform for progressive Catholic thought, tackling pressing social issues and amplifying marginalized voices. “He never shied away from confronting the government or exposing fundamentalist elements in the country through his work at Indian Currents weekly,” Father Mathew remarked.

Father Xavier had previously demonstrated his editorial prowess with Assisi, a Malayalam monthly magazine published from Bharananganam in Kerala. His meticulous approach to journalism, commitment to accuracy, and insistence on fairness earned him widespread respect among his peers and readers.

In addition to his editorial work, Father Xavier played a significant role in shaping the Catholic Church’s publishing strategy in India. As director of Media House in Delhi, he was instrumental in developing various publications and navigating the complexities of the media landscape.

He also took bold stances on issues within the Church. Father Mathew recalled a striking Indian Currents cover story that juxtaposed two contrasting events: the denial of a Catholic funeral in a Kerala diocese and a bishop from Northeast India’s peace-building efforts among warring groups. “His commitment to truth and justice was unwavering, and his legacy continues to inspire,” Father Mathew said.

Philip pointed out that Father Xavier hailed from a deeply religious family with a remarkable dedication to the Church. Among his nine siblings, only two opted for a secular life, while the rest embraced priesthood or religious service. “Few families would have contributed as much human capital to the Church as his,” Philip observed.

Early Life and Career

Father Xavier was born on January 25, 1953, in Neeloor, near Palai in Kerala. His family later moved to Vadakkancherry in Palakkad. He was ordained a priest on April 19, 1980, and began his career in journalism with Assisi magazine.

Pursuing higher education, he completed his doctorate in the Philippines. Upon returning to India, he served as a professor of communication at Vijnananilayam in Janampet, Andhra Pradesh.

In 1993, he moved to northern India and established Media House, a publishing institution in Suryanagar, Uttar Pradesh, near the Delhi border. His efforts extended beyond journalism as he actively contributed to education and social development initiatives.

He played a pivotal role in setting up Shramik Vidya Peeth, later renamed Jan Shikshan Sansthan, an institution dedicated to adult and skill-based education. Notably, it was the first Shramik Vidya Peeth granted to the Catholic Church by the Indian government.

Recognizing the growing importance of digital literacy, he founded the Media Institute of Training and Technology in Suryanagar during the 1990s, focusing primarily on computer education. He also contributed to the establishment of the Assisi Institute of Training and Technology in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This institute, affiliated with Hisar University in Haryana, offered master’s programs in communication and journalism.

Another initiative close to Father Xavier’s heart was the Children’s Help in Life Development (CHILD) project. In collaboration with Caritas India, this initiative provided education and support to street and slum children in Ghaziabad.

In 1998, with the backing of the Capuchin Mission of Krist Jyoti, he assumed control of Indian Currents. His leadership reinvigorated the publication, and he remained its editor until 2006. Under his guidance, Jyoti Press, a state-of-the-art printing unit, was established in Noida in 2002.

Final Years

In his later years, Father Xavier spent time in Kerala, staying with his brother, Father Benedict Vadakkekara, at a Capuchin ashram in Kattappana, Idukki district. He returned to Delhi in February but fell ill by the end of the month.

Father Xavier Vadakkekara’s passing marks the end of an era in Catholic journalism in India. His relentless pursuit of truth, fearless journalism, and unwavering commitment to social justice have left an enduring legacy.