In 1962, the Indo-Chinese War, yet again forced them out to Kotagiri and eventually led to the decision to construct a Salesian Studentate of Theology for the whole of India at Bangalore. The choice of Bangalore was based on the obvious advantages linked to setting up a studentate in a vibrant and growing metropolis with a mild climate which was already home to a number of prestigious ecclesiastical institutions. The syllabus of studies as well as the life of the community were so organized as to help those passing out after their studies, to be effectively at the service of the Post-World War II Society and the Post-Vatican II Church in the pluri-religious and multi-cultural context of India. As was augured, from the very beginning, KJC distinguished itself in reading the signs of the times and responding to them with that degree of creativity and dedication called for in a rapidly evolving society and Church. A team of qualified resident professors and a number of visiting professors, which included members of the various Christian denominations and those of the non-Christian religions, helped the College to realise the hoped for results. The fact that the facilities available at the College favoured the holding of international congresses and seminars, like the Second Asian Monastic Congress (14th-22nd October, 1973) and the Inter-Faith Seminar on Prayer (25th-31st August, 1974), and offered both the staff and students opportunities to listen to and to interact with some of the many eminent personalities and specialists who came to the College on such occasions.
A particularly significant aspect of the formation imparted by that College was that of offering the students the possibility of reaching out to the poor in the surrounding villages and of engaging in youth apostolate in the various parishes in the city The fact that the author has himself had a long and involved association with the institution (1980-1985, 1988-1991, 1994-2009) and of his having served it in various capacities including that of being its rector for a six-year term (2003-2009), has helped him to make a comprehensive and authoritative presentation.
Anchukandam Thomas, holds a doctorate in Ecclesiastical History from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1994), received the title of Professore Ordinario, from the Pontifical Salesian University, (UPS), Rome in 2005 and in 2015, was nominated Director, Istituto Storico Salesiano (ISS). He has authored or edited ten books, including Grow Free Live Free: A Source Book for Value Education, (1985) and Catholic Revival in India in the 19th Century – Role of Mgr. Clément Bonnand, Vol. 1 (1996) & Vol.2 (2006), both published by Kristu Jyoti Publications, Bangalore. His articles include General Division of the Indian Missions into Vicariates Apostolic: Luquet’s Role and Subsequent Controversies, in Fede e Libertà, Scritti in onore di P. Giacomo Martina S.J., a cura di Maurilio Guasco-Alberto Monticone-Pietro Stella, Brescia, Morcelliana 1998, and Christian Contribution to Karnataka, in Indian Christian Directory for the New Millennium, Kottayam, Deepika Publications, 2000. He has also, for varying periods, taught in eleven ecclesiastical institutions in India and abroad, including Mount St. Alphonsus Theological College, Bangalore: (October-November 1999; 2001; 2003) Pontifical Atheneum, Poona, (2005-2006) and Università Pontificia Salesiana (2015-2016).
LAS publisher, 258 pages
