Other Contributions
His special care and concern for the margininalised, especially for the mentally challenged children is manifested in nineteen special schools for the mentally challenged in the Archdiocese itself and four schools for the physically handicapped. The first school for the mentally challenged in the central travancore region was opened by his initiative in 1972 (Asha Bhavan) at Ithithanam near Changanassery. Now it is the largest residential school with hundred students and twenty-five teaching and non-teaching staff. Besides he is the inspiration behind 16 mental health care centres and four houses for the terminally ill in the Archdiocese.
Social Development was one of his major concerns. He founded the Peerumedu Development Society (P.D.S) and the Malanadu Development Society (M. D. S) in 1977 while he was the bishop of Kanjirappaly. The Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithy (KVS) is another project of Archbishop Powathil for the integral development of the place and people of Kuttanadu. Besides, as the Patron of the Changanassery Social Service Society (CHASS) he is the inspiration of numerous developmental schemes. During the last seven years itself the society has built 2000 new houses - with the support of the local people - for those who don’t have proper shelter. Many Scholarship schemes are established for the Dalit Christians in the Archdiocese and the poor and eligible students of the professional courses.
In 1990, Archbishop Powathil founded the prestigious I. C. Chacko award for cultural and literary excellence and it was awarded to Prof. P. C. Devasia, the author of Kristu Bhagavathom in Sanskrit language. Centre for Indian Christian Archaeological Research (CICAR) promoting research is another unique initiative of the Archbishop. Rev. Dr. Joseph Vazhuthanappally is the head of this centre promoting scientific research. Promoting reading habit among the people Archbishop Powathil established the Department of Book Apostolate and they organize the Changanassery Pusthaka Mela in the month of October every year. This Mela is considered as the cultural fest of Changanassery attracting many thousands of people every day. Besides he started family library scheme, school library scheme, Pusthaka Mela in every school etc.
Realizing the importance of the Youth Apostolate he took the initiative in establishing a Diocesan Youth Movement called ‘Yuva Deepthi’ in 1972. In course of time it spread to all the dioceses in Kerala leading to the formation of Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) and he was the first chairman of the KCBC Youth Commission. He started Apostolate for the senior citizens, apostolate for the emigrants and apostolate for the tourists in the Archdiocese. CANA, the Indian Section of the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, at Thuruthy with head quarters in Rome is another achievement of him.
He did a great deal to promote formation based on his Syro-Malabar identity, to priests, religious and the laity. Oriental Study Forum, Dukrana - periodical, Christian Orient - periodical, Missionary Orientation Centre (MOC, recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome), Amala Theological College for the novices, Mar Thoma Vidya Nikethan for Laity (Master Degree in Religious Sciences: recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome) etc. are the means used for the same. He also founded an Eastern Monastic Congregation – Sisters of St. Thomas
On January 22, 2007, Monday, the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Powathil, in conformity with Canon 210 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, was made public by the Holy See (Vatican City) as His Excellency reached the canonical age of resignation of 75 (He is 76 by 2007). This was with the consent of Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil and the Bishops' Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church.
On the same day, it was announced that the then Auxiliary Bishop of Changanacherry, Mar Joseph Perumthottam would succeed Mar Joseph Powathil in the office as the Archbishop of Changanacherry.
Read more about this topic: Joseph Powathil