MM

Dr Hielke Wolters and Metropolitan Joseph Mar Thoma at the centenary celebration of M.M.
Rev.
birth in Kerala, India. © Mar Thoma Syrian Church in India.
Thomas’
centenary of the birth of the late ecumenical leader and Indian theologian Dr M.M. Thomas
The
was celebrated in a seminar at his home state in Kerala, India on 31 August,
(1916–1996)
by his home church, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, in India. The participants paid
organized
to Thomas’ significant contribution to the ecumenical movement.
tributes
served as moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee from 1968
Thomas
1975. His work as a WCC moderator for the Church and Society Commission, as well as his
to
for other ecumenical organizations, was recalled by seminar participants. The first member of
services
laity to serve as WCC moderator, Thomas was director of the Christian Institute for the Study of
the
and Society in Bangalore from 1962 to 1975 and served as governor of the Indian state of
Religion
from 1990 to 1992.
Nagaland
Dr Hielke Wolters, associate general secretary of the WCC, delivered the keynote address at the
Rev.
He stated that “contributions from M.M. Thomas were not confined within the four walls of the
seminar.
02 September 2015