Fr. Mathew Thundathil of the Holy Mother of God OCD served as the director of Carmel International Publishing House (CIPH) in Trivandrum of the Malabar Province from 2000 onwards. In an unparalleled manner He contributed to the Kerala Church as a visionary, writer, editor, translator, speaker, and teacher. It is his foresight and commitment that boosted up the growth of CIPH. During his tenure, he published more than 200 books. Among the countless contributions, the publication of L’Osservathore Romano, the official newspaper of the universal Catholic Church in English and malalaylam is his outstanding gift to the Kerala Catholic Church. It’s his handwork and determination that resulted the acquisition of the right for CIPH to distribute and to translate this newspaper into Malayalam which has been printed in Rome and America and been published only in seven European languages till 2009. Another unique blessing to the Indian Catholic Church is his translation of numerous apostolic exhortations, letters and documents. These church documents include the teachings of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict, and Pope Francis.

Fr. Mathew Thundathil was born in Thamarassery Diocese at Anakkampoyil parish as the youngest son of his parents Thomas and Annamma on 4th March 1966. He joined the Malabar Province of the order of discalced Carmelites on 10th June 1984. His first profession was on 8th September 1988; solemn profession on 5th June 1994; and priestly ordination on 4th January 2000.

Fr. Alex Vadakkearackal OCD (Secretary to Fr. Provincial)