Mangalore, December 9: Fr Ivan Madtha of Mangalore diocese received the prestigious National Excellence Award 2011 from Catholic Priests' Conference of India (CPCI) at a function organised at Trichur in Kerala.
He was chosen for the award in recognition for his work as a magician priest, for the creative use of the art of magic for the promotion of the Kingdom values and for his great resilient enthusiasm in his mission even after losing one of his hands in a train accident.
The last priest of the Mangalore diocese to get CPCI award was Fr John Fernandes in 2008. The award is given to a Catholic priest for exceptional services rendered to the society at large.
Addressing the gathering after presenting the award, former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santhosh Hegde said the self-less service that we render to the community is proportionate to serving the God. “I have done my schooling in Christian schools and I can say that these institutions serve the community well.”
While commending the award winners, Archbishop of Trichur Dr Andrews Thazath said that in spite of Fr Ivan Madtha suffering from 60 per cent disability, he renders great service to humanity.
“He is a role model and a great inspiration to all,” the Archbishop said and added that his mission is not limited to a single locality but to the whole world.
CPCI President Fr Philip Kattakyam said that this award is meant to recognise and appreciate Catholic priests who have excelled in service to humanity like education, developmental work, human rights, alternative ministry, health, art and culture, pastoral work, media and communication, legal ministry, literature and academics.
Fr Ivan Madtha of the diocese of Mangalore is given this award for the creative use of the art of magic for the promotion of the Kingdom values and for his great resilient enthusiasm in his mission even after losing one of his arms in a train accident.
Fr Madtha has performed around 1,300 Bible based and value based magic shows and reached 1.6 million people with the God's message.
After receiving the award, he thanked the CPCI and dedicated the award as an honour to the people for whom he is working.
“This award fills me with more inspiration to work for the God and the man. The role of a priest cannot be limited just to a cult or ritual priesthood.
His spirituality and talents should lead him beyond the four walls of the sanctuary to live and share the practical life of people”. Fr Madtha is one of five who were given the award in 2011.
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