Father P.C. Mathew, a former principal of St Xavier's College (Autonomous), passed away on Sunday morning. He was 84.
Father Mathew was admitted to Nightingale Hospital early on Saturday, after his oxygen level started dropping.
"A day later, he died of cardiac arrest in the nursing home," said a statement issued by the college.
Father Mathew's funeral service will be held at 10am on February 13 on St Xavier's College grounds. Thereafter, the remains will be taken to the Jesuit Cemetery at Dhyan Ashram, Konchowki, Diamond Harbour Road, for burial.
Calcutta Jesuit Provincial Father James Arjen Tete will preside over the funeral and conduct the burial service.
After his retirement as principal of St Xavier's College in 2009, Father Mathew was assigned to St Lawrence School Jesuit community. Since 2019, he had been residing at the Jesuit Infirmary at St Xavier's College.
Father Mathew was the principal of St Xavier's College for 14 years, from 1995. It was during his tenure as principal that the college got the autonomous status in 2006.
"Father P.C. Mathew was a visionary and action-oriented person. The college is where it is because he pushed for autonomy. He was always encouraging and appreciative of the academic expansion of the college to cater to the needs of the marginalised and serve the mankind at large. The extension was reflected in laying the foundation pillars of our rural campus at Raghabpur and the communication hub on EM Bypass. Father P.C. Mathew will be remembered for ever for his support and encouragement to the students and staff in all situations," said Father Dominic Savio, principal, St Xavier's College (Autonomous), Calcutta.
Father Mathew was born on April 19, 1939, at Piravam in Kerala. He joined the Jesuit order in 1957 in Calcutta Jesuit Province and was ordained a priest in 1969.
Father Mathew, as president of St Xavier's College (Calcutta) Alumni Association (SXCCAA), strengthened the organisation and its various philanthropic activities.
"On behalf of each of the members of the alumni association, I convey deepest condolences and express our gratitude to the deceased soul of Father P.C. Mathew, for being our mentor and helping us transform SXCCAA into the exemplary movement that it is today," said Firdausul Hasan, honorary secretary, SXCCAA.
