Fr. Patrick Mathias Appointed Secretary of CCBI Bible Commission

Bangalore, 10 May 2025 (CCBI): Rev. Dr. Patrick Mathias, SDB, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the CCBI Bible Commission. The decision was made during the CCBI Executive Committee meeting held in Bangalore from 6 to 7 May 2025.

Fr. Patrick, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, is 49 years old and holds a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Angelicum University, Rome, and a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), Rome.

Born on 29 October 1976 in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu, Fr. Patrick has served the Church in various academic and pastoral roles across India. He is currently the Vice Rector and Professor of Sacred Scripture at Don Bosco Theological Centre (DBTC), Kavarapettai, and also serves as the President of the CRI Minjur-Manali Vicariate in Chennai.

Fr. Patrick is well known for his deep biblical knowledge and spiritual guidance. He has taught at major seminaries and theological institutes, edited theological journals, and led numerous retreats for priests and religious throughout India. He is an active member of the Catholic Biblical Association of India (CBAI) and the Tamil Nadu Biblical Professors Association (TNBPA).

His international engagement includes membership in the Salesian Biblical Association (ABS) and participation in its international conventions, including one held in Jerusalem. Fr. Patrick is multilingual and speaks Tamil, English, Italian, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, among other languages.

By Dr. Stephen Alathara