Cyril Bernard Papali

Who was Cyril Bernard Papali?

Father Cyril Bernard Papali OCD or "Fr. Cyril Bernard of the Mother of God OCD" O.C.D.. Born in the city of Cochin, Kerala, India in 1902. Father Cyril was a Carmelite monk of the Manjummel Province. Was was a multi-talented priest. In his writings we find him as a universal thinker, very open catholic theologian, severe critic of communism, a deep devotee of Blessed Virgin Mary and lover of Non-Christian religions. His interest in science, music and photography could be looked upon as a rare combination in a pre-vatican monk.

He was the last Prior General of TOCD, with its later Mother House in Manjummel. Once the TOCDs got amalgamated with OCD, Fr. Cyril was called to Rome as Professor. His academic genius and personal holiness were well known in Rom. Pope Paul VI got his help to prepare the talks on his journey to Philippines and to India. He was peritus to Vatican II on the question of the laity as well as the non-Christian religions. He was the author of several books including Hinduism: religion and philosophy. His famous work on Virgin Mary named "La Madonna" is a world classic.

01.10.1962: Ordinary Professor of Missiology in the Urbanian University Rome