【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2021 年04月 26 日印度班加羅爾訊】 ─ 潘傑誠神父又被稱為P.C. Thomas，於4月24日下午，在班加羅爾安貧小姊妹宿舍去世，享年91歲。潘傑誠神父是首位任省會長的印度籍慈幼會士（珍奈會省），也是首位服務鮑思高慈幼會總部議會的印度籍會士，服務期從1977年一直到1996年，長達18年之久。
他獻身做慈幼會士達71年，任司鐸達61年。他的存在對亞洲各會省，以及東亞澳區首批福傳事業，有著重要的影響。
在他獲任命為珍奈會省首任省會長後，連續三屆（第21、22及23屆全代會）獲選為「亞洲地區」總部議會議員。在他的任期內，增加多達八個會省，包括現時東亞澳區內的菲律賓南會省、韓國會省及越南會省，以及印度的孟買會省、Dimapur會省、Hyderabad會省、新德里會省及班加羅爾會省。
在潘傑誠神父擔任亞洲地區議會時，他致力推動並陪伴多個新的福傳地區：東非地區的肯雅、蘇丹及坦桑尼亞；東亞地區的柬埔寨及印尼；太平洲地區的巴布亞新畿內亞及所羅門群島，以及南亞地區的尼泊爾和也門。此外，他也經常陪同鮑思高第七任繼承人衛甘諾神父，進行歷史性的訪問，包括1979年緬甸之旅及1987年的北京之旅。
潘傑誠神父在整個東亞澳地區，人們都把他視為富偉大遠見的人物，因為他是多項有關慈幼神恩發展重大決策的主角，而他的家庭精神及富幽默的情感，也深受人
們讚賞。他也有一定數目的著作，包括有關達麗媽媽及慈幼司鐸聖召的作品。
在三屆總部議會議員任期屆滿後，他於1996年返回家鄉印度，長期在培育院工作（起初在Aluva及Kerala的初學後培育院，之後多年在班加羅爾擔任培育員及神修指導，尤其指導司鐸及修道者）。他也曾任慈幼家庭多個團體的策勵者。
他的離世，使修會失去一個偉大的靈魂，一位鮑思高神父的真神子。他的葬禮於今天，4月26日在班加羅爾舉行，並可透過https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9WlIosALrU串流收看。
目前，印度新型冠狀病毒疫情不斷惡化。衛生當局報告，最近幾天感染及不幸死亡的數字，均是前所未見之高，醫院也發出報告，深切治療部缺乏氧氣設備。這個日漸處於疫情重災區的亞洲國家，亟需前所未有規模的醫療及人道援助。
Farewell to Fr Thomas Panakezham, first Indian Salesian to serve on General Council
(ANS – India–Bangalore, 26 April 2021) – Fr Thomas Panakezham, also known as P.C. Thomas, died on the afternoon of April 24, at the age of 91, at the hospice of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Bangalore. Fr Panakezham was the first Indian Salesian to be Provincial of Chennai and the first Indian to serve in the General Council of the Salesians of Don Bosco, where he worked for over 18 years, from 1977 to 1996.
He lived 71 years of Salesian consecrated life and 61 years of priestly service. His existence had a significant impact on all the Provinces of Asia, but also on the first missions in East Africa and Oceania.
After his mandate as the first Indian Provincial of Chennai, he was elected three consecutive times (during the 21, 22 and 23 General Chapters) as General Councilor for the “Asia Region”. During his mandate, no less than 8 new Provinces were born: South Philippines, Korea and Vietnam, in the current East Asia-Oceania Region, and 5 new Provinces in India: Mumbai, Dimapur, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Bangalore.
During his mandate as Regional Councilor of Asia, Fr P.C. Thomas promoted and accompanied the new frontiers of the mission in the territories of
East Africa (Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania), in East Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia), in the Pacific (Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands), and in South Asia (Nepal and Yemen ). Furthermore, he often accompanied Fr Egidio Viganò, Don Bosco’s VII Successor, on several historical visits, such as the one to Burma in 1979, or to Beijing, in 1987.
Fr Panakezham is remembered throughout the East Asia-Oceania Region as a man with great vision, who was the protagonist in many important decisions in the development of the Salesian charism, and was also highly appreciated for his family spirit and his jokes. He also wrote a fair number of publications, including one on the fig
ure of Mamma Margaret and one on the Salesian priesthood.
Returning to his native India in 1996, after three terms as General Councilor, he spent most of his time in formation houses (in the postnovitiate of Aluva, Kerala, and then many years in Bangalore, as a formator and spiritual director, especially for priests and religious). He also animated various groups of the Salesian Family.
With his death, the Congregation lost a great soul, a true son of Don Bosco. His funeral is held today, April 26, in Bangalore and can be watched in streaming at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9WlIosALrU
Meanwhile, in India, the Covid-19 emergency is increasingly worrying. The health authorities have reported in recent days the record number of infections and – unfortunately – of victims, while the hospitals are sounding the alarm for the lack of oxygen in the intensive care units. The Asian country, increasingly the epicenter of the pandemic, needs more than ever medical and humanitarian aid.