Findings on the All India Catholic University Students’ Federation formation and
its activities traces back to as early as 1950s as per the report of the Working
and Standing Committee (Oct 26-31, 1956, Bangalore). On May, 1956, the Second National
Congress of the All India Catholic University Students’ Federation was held. It
was attended by as many as 1,700 delegates – young men and women – from different
Catholic colleges. The theme of the Congress, “For a Better World” made
a powerful appeal to the youth, their attention naturally being focused on India.
The Federation is a Catholic Action movement with a two-fold aim:
1. To make of them more earnest and practicing Christians, and
2. To kindle zeal in them so that their contacts with other students may be of spiritual
benefits.
An incident is quoted of a North Indian student- a convert to the Church – who was
tremendously impressed by the Congress. On his return, he had the good fortune of
contacting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, handed him a programme of the Congress, and
spoke enthusiastically of what he had seen and heard. The Prime Minister’s comment
was characteristic of him: “ These Catholics always know what they want.”
At the General Meeting of CBCI (7-16 Jan, 1970), work done by the AICUF was applauded
by Archbishop Raymond. He also pleaded that they needed many more chaplains and
sisters to care this federation. It was decided here to setup a permanent office
for the AICUF.
Report of the Commission for Education (Standing Committee – May 4-6,1987,
Bangalore)
Subject: Regrouping of various organization under each Commission.
The House agreed on the proposal of Archbishop, Henry D’Souza to bring the AICUF
under the Commission of Education and Culture
PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAPLAIN OF ‘AICUF’
1. The National Chaplain is selected from the names or name presented by the National
Chaplain/Province of Madras to the CBCI Standing Committee through the Chairman
of the Commission. The Standing Committee makes the appointment. A five year term
should be fixed; this can be renewed.
2. The Regional Chaplain is selected from names or name suggested to the Regional
Council of Bishops, through the National Chaplain. The Regional Council of Bishops
will appoint the Regional Chaplain. The term of office should be five years.
3. Unit Chaplains are appointed by the local Ordinary from the names or name suggested
by the Regional and National Chaplains.
Previous mode of appointment: as presented by Fr. Leo Tagore, the National
Chaplain of AICUF
1. The National Chaplain in consultation with the National Executive/Central Committee
and the Provincial of Madurai Jesuit Province and other concerned authorities proposes
the name/names. The JCI and /or the Provincial of Madurai presents the candidate
to the CBCI Standing Committee through the Chairman of the Commission, who makes
the appointment.
2. The National Chaplain in consultation with the Regional Executive of the AICUF
and the local Church or religious authorities chooses a suitable person and appoints
him with the prior knowledge/ approval of the local bishop.
3. The Unit Advisers are appointed by the local bishop if it involves a diocesan
priest or by the local Superior or Principal if it involves a religious priest or
nun or layman of a College. Generally the Parish Priest or his assistant acts as
the Unit Chaplain if there is a unit attached to the parish. In all these appointments
wide consultations involving students themselves and other AICUF leaders specially
the Regional Chaplain is presupposed. The Regional Chaplain is responsible for finding
the Unit Advisers. Professors or committed ex-AICUFers are preferred for this post.
Fr. Tagore also noted that the National Chaplain is called “National Director” on
the letter-head of AICUF
Appointments:
AICUF
1971 : Fr. Claude D’Souza was appointed as National Chaplain
1990 : Fr. Manuel Alphonse SJ was appointed as National Advisor
1998 : Fr. K. Amal, SJ