Dimapur, Sep. 20 (EMN): The Diocese of Kohima is saddened with the demise of former vicar general and parish priest of Chiephobzou, Rev. Fr. Mathew Keemattam, on Sep. 20, at Bethel Medical Centre, Kohima. The funeral service will be held on Sep. 21, 4 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Chumukedima.
According to the press release of the Diocese of Kohima, Fr. Mathew was admitted at Bethel Medical Centre, Kohima on Sep. 16 after a brief illness.
Rev. Mathew was born at Ramapuram, Kerala, on Oct. 30, 1945. In 1963, he joined St. Thomas Minor Seminary, Mylapore for the Diocese of Diburgarh. He completed his philosophical and theological studies in Sacred Heart College, Poonamallee, Chennai. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1973, for the Diocese of Kohima by Bishop Mar Sebastian Vayalil, Bishop of Pala, at St. Augustine’s Forane Church Ramapuram. Since then, he exercised his priestly ministry in the diocese with total dedication and commitment.
He was first appointment at St. Thomas Church, Tuensang as assistant priest. In 1978, he took in-charge of Kiphire Mission. In 1980 he was back at St. Thomas Parish as the Parish Priest. In 1984, he was transferred to Queen Mary’s Parish, Mokokchung. The year 1985, saw him as the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Dimapur. Later in 1990, he was appointed as the rector of the Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur. In 1995 he went St. Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore, to pursue higher Studies in Canon Law. In 1997 he served at St. Joseph Parish, Chumukedima as Parish Priest. He was the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kohima for 10 years. In 2005, he was appointed at St. Joseph College as rector. Later he was transferred to St. Xavier’s Parish, Meluri in 2006 and then to St. Dominic’s Parish, Chiephobozou in 2012 serving till he breath his last on.
After his ordination to the priesthood in 1973, Fr. Mathew spent the best of his youthful years as a zealous, dedicated and committed missionary to spread the good news among the people of Nagaland. The first years of his priestly life spent in zealous and sacrificing way had a lot to tell on his effectiveness as a pastor and healer of souls later. As the assistant parish priest of Tuensang, Fr. Mathew devoted most of his time and youthful energy furthering the missionary work in Kiphire area. He contacted many villages and held numerous meetings with the public. As a result of all his endeavours, the first community was formed at Phelungre with the baptism of 30 people on May 7, 1975. The Church at Kiphire flourished under his leadership.
The community of the Holy Cross Parish has benefitted much from Fr. Mathew’s work. His experience and knowledge of the people helped him to be a good pastor and guide. People from villages came to seek his advice on various matters. He was indeed a friend of all. He talked to everyone with love, understanding and concern. Through his affectionate and fatherly ways he won the hearts of the faithful and led to God in prayer.
During the five years that he spent in Good Shepherd Seminary as rector, Fr. Mathew kept the formation and growth of the young seminarians dear to his heart. He enveloped the seminarians with genuine love, affection and fatherly concern. That is why even today, many of his past students sweetly recall Fr. Mathew as man with a big heart. He had served the people of Nagaland with zeal and fortitude till his last breath.
