Media Release
Bengaluru, Aug 12: Cedric Morris, owner of a factory, received this year’s ‘AP Kunju Kunju Arattukulam Jeeva Karunya’ award for his outstanding contribution and dedicated work amongst cancer patients at Kidwai Institute of Oncology, here. He received a citation from Celine Kunjukunju and a cash award from Kunjukunju at a function held on Sunday August 11 in the city.
Celine Kunjukunju, the chief patron of Bangalore Christian Writers’ Forum (BCWF) and the day’s chief guest appreciating the great work Morris carried out for the poor and helpless cancer patients said, “This is a wonderful act of charity and work of mercy.”
Fr John Mario CMI, speaking on the occasion lauded Morris for the dedicated work he does for the suffering cancer patients who come from far and near. He said, "This is called witnessing Christ. This is a reflection of Christian life and he is a model and an example to emulate for others."
Fr Francis Thonippara, CMI, spoke on the quality of Morris’ work. He is a Samaritan. He is a man for others. He does a lot each day. He is like former president of South Africa. When Nelson Mandela was in prison, someone asked him what he was thinking in his jail life. Mandela told the person that he never lost hope and he was always thinking of others." He also referred to the selfless work Mother Theresa had done for others for several years.
Sunny P L read out a citation and described briefly the work Morris had done for the cancer patients. "Morris got back his own life and he is grateful to God and was inspired to give back in his own way. He is indebted to God, his wife and relatives besides others for their support. For this he spends his time on the corridors of hospitals, wards or with doctors. He chats with kids and other patients after their chemotherapy. He is always seen on the verandas of Kidwai hospital. If he is not seen around, the patients wait for him with hope and expectation. He is hope, encouragement and inspiration especially for those who await to breathe their last. Morris has reasons to live on and complete many more unfinished works," said Sunny.
Sunny concluded saying, "The sea will stir with waves of love and he (Morris) will produce colourful varieties of shells of mercy for others." He included many more facts of life for Morris including his acceptance of death reaching fourth stage of cancer. Doctors had given him a maximum of one month to be alive on this earth. Everything came to a standstill. He decided to dedicate his life for others in the numbered days left. He prayed in church and received a light and he felt he was completely cured of his advanced cancer. This surprised all who knew about it. He has 75 workers in his factory who do marketing, production, purchase, execution and patent matters. His wife is one of the directors. As such Morris is free to give his time for total dedication to the patients at Kidwai.
C V Joseph, one of the committee members, speaking on the occasion and quoting from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, said, "The works of mercy are charitable actions by which people come to the aid of their neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instruction, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
Quoting from the Bible he further said, "If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?' (James 2: 15, 16) and (1 John 3: 17). Jose thanked Morris and Arattukulam family for the self-sacrificing, self-denying and magnanimous work both have achieved and executed over the years. He said Morris spends Rs 25 lac yearly for the cancer patients from his income.
Francis Antony ITS, another patron of BCWF considered Morris a real Samaritan who goes on giving (alms). Antony exhorted all present to give to others more only to receive back much more which the Lord has assured us all. Morris had gone through hell with his own cancer and he was cured through divine intervention. He wished him God’s abundant blessings for the satisfaction of the mind.
Prof K J Joseph said Morris had received inspiration from someone to do such a tiring work. He hoped Morris’ work would inspire many more to doworks of mercy.
Among others who spoke on the occasion were Briji K T, writer and author, Metty Grace, a social worker, Rosy Johnychan, vice president, BCWF and Dr Mathew Mampra, a businessman and author of books.
Earlier, T A Calistus, president, BCWF, welcomed everyone. In his speech he brought out the importance of the priests in ancient times. He quoted from the Bible and said the kings were installed by priests. Even the Jews had similar practices.
In his response, Cedric Morris was grateful for the award and said the award was for all the committed members of his team. Morris said it was not possible to do anything without the support and cooperation of many of his team members, some of who were present at the function. He said the patients consider him their god and address him by different names such as father, pastor and other names in their own languages.
Dr Mathew Manimala, retired from IIT Bengaluru, recited a poem fitting to the occasion and context. Binu K also recited a poem on God’s Ways.
Gabriel C D, general secretary, BCWF, thanked all concerned. V K Johny compered the entire programme skillfully. The function began with a prayer song by Philip Mathew.