MM

M. M. Thomas (1916 -1996)
Madathiparampil Mammen Thomas was one of the most remarkable Indian theologians, a renowned
ecumenical leader, and an outstanding scholar who made an indelible mark on the twentieth century
ecumenical movement. Thomas was a prolific writer both in English and his native language
Malayalam, and wrote over 60 books and close to a thousand articles. some unpublished.
Thomas was born on May 15, 1916 in the South Indian State of Kerala in a devout Christian family
belonging to the Syrian Marthoma Church, where he was raised in evangelical piety. After earning a
university science degree, Thomas took up a teaching job which he left in 1937, becoming involved in
social service and youth movements.
Thomas underwent a spiritual transformation which he called, “an evangelical spiritual experience.” His
personal commitment to Christ, his upbringing in a strong Christian tradition, and his own personal
meditation and study of the Bible and other devotional literature nurtured Thomas’ spirituality which he
later sought to relate to his social involvement. Thomas was influenced by Gandhi, but later became
more inclined towards Marxist ideology. From 1943, Thomas associated himself with the Student
Christian Movement, and in 1947 he became the Secretary of World Student Christian Federation
(WSCF). This new position brought Thomas in contact with leading theologians and ecumenical leaders
in Europe and allowed him to be part of the discussions of the World Council of Churches prior to its
formation. In Europe, his exposure to western liberal democracy and his disillusionment with new
developments in communism both in India and Eastern Europe led to an ideological shift away from
Marxism.
Between 1953 and 1961, Thomas became actively involved in the developing Asian ecumenical
movement and participated in the WCC assembly of 1954 (Evanston). A significant event was the
formation of the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS), Bangalore, India in
1957. P. D. Devanandan was appointed the first Director of CISRS and Thomas became the Associate
Director. Thomas also played a major role in the formation of the East Asia Christian Conference
(EACC) in 1959, which became the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in 1973.
The period from 1961 to 1975 was another significant phase in Thomas’ ecumenical journey. He
became actively involved in the WCC with its New Delhi assembly in 1961, where he was elected
Chairperson of the department of Church and Society. Thomas ably led the department during a period
of turmoil and upheaval around the world. In 1962 Devanandan died and Thomas assumed the
directorship of CISRS.
An important milestone in Thomas‘ life was his appointment at the Uppsala assembly in 1967 to be the
Director of the Central Committee of WCC.
After long association with WCC, Thomas retired from both the Central Committee (1975) and also
from CISRS (1976). This period also witnessed Thomas‘ active engagement in India with political
issues of the time. He reacted to the emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi through his
writings and organized campaigns for human rights and freedom. In 1990, the Indian government
recognized Thomas’ contribution to public life by appointing him Governor of the Northeastern State of
Nagaland. Thomas resigned as Governor in 1992, and devoted the rest of his life writing, including the