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Fr. J. Charles Davis, born on May 22, 1976 at Perur Udayapatty (previously Kulithalai parish) in the diocese of Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India, is the youngest of the three children of a very devout and faithful James Immanuel and Janet Salette Mary. His early childhood and the school years (from 1976 to 1992) in the company of his parents, his elder sister Jayarani Joseph and his elder brother Edmand Arockiaraj was a joyful and memorable one filled with warmth of love and fondness. The following is a brief biographical sketch of Fr. J. Charles Davis that attempts to describe his life, the kind of person he is, and his works. I, as a senior companion and colleague, am happy to write the testimony.

Charles: An Excellent and Erudite Academician

Gifted with a keen mind and intellect, Charles had the habit of excelling in his studies during his school years as his academic records would show from 1980 to 1992. After his higher secondary education (+2) in 1992, he obtained a Diploma in Teacher Education with an excellent academic record in 1994 and was offered a teaching job in a government school immediately as a recognition and reward for his academic excellence, while for others it would take many years to get the teaching job.

Charles hardly began his career as a government school teacher with a singular pride of being the youngest teacher in the Government of Tamilnadu, the call of God to Priesthood, which was alive in his heart for many years, came to him with resounding clarity through Most. Rev. S. L. Gabriel and Most Rev. Hippolytus Kunnunkal OFM Cap. He resigned the government job and journeyed to Jammu and Kashmir to become a missionary priest. His abilities in the secular academic pursuits came to be very soon invested in doing the religious studies with deep conviction, passion and total dedication to become a priest. After the study of local language and culture at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Jammu for two years, he successfully completed his Bachelor in Philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum/Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and Bachelor in Sociology through Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamilnadu in 1999. Thereafter, he had his regency from 1999-2001 with rich practical experiences in pastoral, educational and social ministries in the diocese in Jammu.

Charles was sent back to Pune for his Bachelor in Theology in 2001, where he emerged with the distinction of being an excellent student in academics, particularly in the field of Moral Theology, that the Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion requested the Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar to spare him to be in the Theological Faculty in Moral Theology. The request of the JDV was accepted by the then Bishop Peter Celestine OFM Cap which eventually, after the priestly ordination and two years of pastoral ministry in the diocese, took him to the Philosophical-Theological University of Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt, Germany for his Postgraduate and Doctorate in Moral Theology in 2007.

Given his natural aptitude for learning languages, Charles mastered German and did remarkably well in his studies in Moral Theology under the able and expert guidance of Prof. Dr. Josef Schuster SJ. He dared to choose a difficult Dissertation theme: “The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in India: Ethical Proposals for a Legal Framework for India.” He defended his Dissertation and completed his Doctorate successfully on November 09, 2012 with Summa-Cum-Laude, a distinction rarely a non-German research student is awarded with.

Charles began to serve as a Lecturer in Moral Theology/Bioethics at Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion from the year 2010 much before his completion of his doctorate. At his return to Pune as the resident Professor in 2013, he offered himself so totally to teaching moral theological subjects such as Bio-Medical Ethics, Social Teachings of the Church, Ethics in Genetic Engineering, Stem Cells and Ethics, Human Dignity and Bioethics to the B.Th and M.Ph students. He served as a Guide for students of Philosophy and Theology in their research paper work with efficiency and clarity. His guest lectures and seminars on the current bioethics questions were attended by both the students of Philosophy and Theology and were deeply appreciated. His intellectual acumen, his teaching skills and abilities, clarity of thinking on difficult moral-theological issues gained him the appreciation of the students and staff alike and he taught with passion and commitment.

Something surprising and unexpected was in the offing for Charles. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation by the Federal Republic of Germany came forward to award him Research Fellowship to do his Post-doctoral research as a recognition and reward for his excellent track record in academics and doctoral research. The offer of such sponsorship by the German Government is rare and limited to those individuals who demonstrate an exceptional ability and outstanding achievement in research and who contribute significantly to international co-operation and understanding. The German Government counted Charles among the highly qualified researchers and the sponsorship took him back to Germany in 2016 for another stint of research at the University of Freiburg. He is now in the midst of his postdoctoral research (Habilitation) under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Eberhard Schockenhoff in the Department of Moral Theology with a special focus on human dignity in world religions to deal with the issues of Bioethics, Biopolitics and Biolaw.

Charles is counted as a great academician and a distinguished scholar to be reckoned with in the arena of academia. His book “The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in India: Ethical Proposals for a Legal Framework for India” is received with much appreciation and interest both in India and abroad. The Pontifical Academy for Life, Vatican, has an appreciative commentary on it. Charles received the admiration of Pope Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo for his scholarly research. He discussed the issue of child abuse along with Sean Patrick Cardinal O`Malley at the Conference of Capuchin Bishops at San Giovanni Rotondo. He was invited by Professor Edmund Pellegrino to the Whitehouse Office of the Presidents Council for Bioethics, Washington, DC for a discussion on Indian Bioethics. He received the relics of Saint John Paul II for promotion of peace in Kashmir from Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz at Krakau. These are a few encounters worth mentioning in view of his academics and mission.

The young scholar has travelled far and wide for seminars and conferences either to present papers or to participate in discussions in the national and international forums. His pre-synodal talk on the family at the Colloquium of Bishops and Theologians, Bangalore, was significant. He addresses physicians, nurses, teachers, social activists and ordinary women groups on issues of life and ethics. He has received the admiration of Oswald Cardinal Gracias and other Indian Bishops who appreciate his scholarly works very much. Along with Bishop Agnelo Gracias, Charles was on the drafting committee for statements on abortion and euthanasia that was sent to the President and the Parliament of India. He is abreast with the bioethical issues in India and responds to them appropriately. He writes short statements on bioethical and canonical issues in smart companion magazine for bishops and priests. He is regularly in touch with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for legal framework in areas of stem cell research in India.

The annual gathering of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation which brings together distinguished scholars and scientists of different fields of study took place in June 2017 in Berlin in which the young scholar Charles had a rightful place as one of the participants and had interaction with the Federal President of Germany Mr. Franz-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Judge Elke Büdenbender and had conversation on bioethics and biolaw.

His main focus of research, teaching and ministry is preserving, protecting and promoting human life especially of the vulnerable ones at the nascent, ailing and dying stages. His updates on bioethics in his personal website (www.jamescharlesdavis.wordpress.com) are educative and inspiring. His thoughts and insights on moral-theological matters demonstrate the qualities of an erudite scholar. The number of articles on moral-theological topics he has written and published in national and international journals and edited books gained him a respectful place in the world of academia as a committed thinker and academician.

Charles: An Efficient Administrator and Inspiring Leader

Charles Davis is a multifaceted and multitalented person. In pastoral and administrative fields of life, he has shown quiet but extraordinary skills in efficiently carrying out the responsibilities and dealing with the people and stake holders effectively. During his Philosophical studies at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth (1997-99), his leadership and relational abilities were pressed into service as the President of Philosophy Students’ Council at the Papal Seminary.

During the period of his regency from 1999-2001, Charles served as the Office Secretary to (Late) Rt. Rev. Peter Celestine OFM Cap and assisted him so efficiently in designing pastoral and social projects for the Diocese. Knowing his aptitude for leadership and administration, the Bishop appointed him as the Acting Principal of St. Paul’s Convent School, Gangyal, Jammu in 1999 which he carried out so excellently well. During his theological studies, too, Charles was elected as the President of Theology Students’ Council of the Papal Seminary and the Class Representative at the Faculty of Theology in 2002-2003. While being a student, he offered his secretarial assistance for editing the Jnanadeepa Journal of Religious Studies (2001-04).

After his ordination in December 2004, Charles served as the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Church, Mandal and Chaplain for Sisters of Destitute. Judicial Notary for Dispensations at the Chancellery and worked so efficiently to obtain dispensation for priest/s that was pending for a long time. It was he who mooted the idea of creating a Diocesan Priests Pension Fund and served as its Secretary from 2005-2007. From 2004-2007, he continued to render his assistance to the bishop in designing socio-pastoral projects at the Diocesan Curia.

While he was doing his Licentiate and Doctorate in Moral Theology from 2007 in Germany, he was a Representative of the General Students Council (AStA) at the College Council in Sankt Georgen Frankfurt and Speaker for Foreign Students in Kolleg/Priesterseminar Sankt Georgen, Honorary Coordinator for German Doctors, Bonn, and Chaplain of Frankfurt University Hospital. He actively involved himself in helping the bishop and the diocese by mobilizing funds for pastoral and social works, by networking with the dioceses in Germany and other European countries; he was the Project Spokesperson for the Diocesan Projects and for the Social Work Society of the Diocese from 2007 and contributed tremendously to the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar and few other dioceses in India. He has been instrumental in getting scholarships for many Indians for higher studies in Europe.

Most notable contribution he made, among many in the field of pastoral, health, social and educational projects, was towards the construction of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Baramulla, Kashmir as the Project-Coordinator. It was a big project co-funded by the German Doctors and the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany. The construction of the beautiful hospital block was made possible due to the tireless effort of Charles. He has been of great service to the (Late) Bishop Peter Celestine OFM Cap and the present Bishop Ivan Pereira in coordinating their visits to Europe and finalizing their itinerary by fixing appointments with the funding partners, benefactors and friends in Europe and speaking to them of the various needs, challenges and demands of the Church in J&K. He has organized fundraising trips for a few other Indian Bishops and assisted in getting scholarships for many priests and sisters for their postgraduate studies in Europe and India.

From 2010, Charles was a Founding Executive Member of JDV Centre for Applied Ethics, Pune, Executive Member for Science and Religion, Faculty Member of Association for Science, Society and Religion (ASSR) and Indian Institute of Science and Religion (IISR). He was also the Project-Coordinator for the Project Design of Diocesan Curia and Clergy Home in Jammu. On his return to India after the completion of his doctorate in 2012, he served as the Formator at the Papal Seminary, Animator of Theologians, the Secretary of JDV Centre for Science and Religion, Pune, Director of JDV Centre for Applied Ethics, Guest Editor of Jnanadeepa Journal of Religious Studies, Staff Animator of the Community Day Celebrations and Coordinator of the Papal Seminary Diamond Jubilee Celebrations besides being the Lecturer of Moral Theology, Bioethics and Social Ethics at Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Pune.

Though he was away from the diocese for his teaching ministry in Pune, Bishop Peter inducted him as the Council Member of the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar and as the Priest-Instructor for Cases of Dispensation for Priests from 2013-2015. His colleagues at the College of Consultors and seniors know him to be very objective, impartial and unbiased in his opinions and honest in all interactions and deliberations.

The various responsibilities he has held so far from his student years, the important administrative tasks he has accomplished so successfully and the important roles in which he has served, the kind of precision and clarity he displays in planning and executing any task he undertakes whether small or big speak volume about the abilities in administration and leadership Charles has. He is competent, capable, skillful and resourceful. He is an effective, efficient and well-organized administrator and an inspiring leader.

Charles: A Grateful, Humble and Compassionate Pastor

The education Charles received from his simple and God-fearing parents has kept him schooled in the virtues of being faithful and grateful to God and to people who have touched his lives. Heeding the call of God to priesthood, he set off to Jammu and Kashmir relinquishing his secure teaching job in 1994. All along the years of his formation and later as a priest, his colleagues and teachers have known him as a man who is deeply committed to God and his ministry, other-oriented, genuinely friendly and who can be befriended. He possesses the noble habit of helping those in need often without being asked for which has marked him off from others as a uniquely helpful and friendly man. He would habitually expend his time, talents, and energy in attending to the needs of others while he would still find sufficient time to do his studies or works, a habit that has grown ever stronger in him over the years. This exceptional quality of Charles has drawn many priests, bishops and others who would confidently seek help from him and they would find the benevolent side of the person. This has been a distinguishing quality of Charles as a priest.

The deep conviction that drives him is that priesthood is a gift of faith which is given to be used for the service of others and for doing good works at all time. From the beginning of his ministry, he has endeavoured to do good, be it lay people, priest companions or anyone in need. Because of this basic attitude, he has had a very satisfying and fruitful life and ministry as a pastor, beginning with his two years of pastoral ministry in Mandal, Jammu in 2004 to his ministry in many German dioceses, later in 2012 as the Chaplain of the Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany and beyond. Walking that extra mile as a priest in helping and doing good to those in need has been an essential part of his nature.

For Charles, good works knows no boundary and no time, and rightly so. Through his diligent planning and hard work, he has supported the education of many children from his village and other parts of the Diocese and parts of India. The motivation to do such work came from his own experience of children of his age who were less fortunate dropping out of school after 10th or +2 because of lack of opportunity or required finance.

Charles has travelled far and wide either for academic purpose as a research student or to assist bishop. But his heart always yearns for the growth of the mission diocese Jammu-Srinagar, to which he belongs. And he would never miss a chance when his service was needed in the Diocese. Such readiness and willingness to be of service was seen when Bishop Peter Celestine called him to the Diocese in 2010, though away in Germany doing his doctorate, to be part of the planning and working out a dream project of Diocesan Curia Office and Clergy House which was a dire need for the Diocese. Charles made himself available and was the Project Co-ordinator. Another instance of his burning desire for the growth of Jammu-Srinagar mission was seen in the major contribution he made towards mobilizing funds for the construction of new hospital block at St. Joseph’s campus, Baramulla, Kashmir, co-funded by the German Doctors and Federal Republic of Germany. On many occasions and in various ways, he would readily avail himself, his time and talents for the service of Jammu & Kashmir mission.

Charles is an exceptionally good man and a God-centric person at heart. His experience of having been abundantly blessed by God in all that happened in his life motivates him to share the blessings he has received with love and humility. He acknowledges with deep gratitude the role of elders and great men who have been an inspiration in his life. He is a man of clear vision with a mission to be a witness to Jesus Christ and to work for peace and justice in Jammu and Kashmir, as the motto of his priesthood is: to be a messenger of peace. With a sense of grateful heart, Charles remains simple, humble and generous. Above all, he is a man of God and a compassionate pastor.

In Witness of the Lord, Fr. Soosai Nathan (frsoosainathan@gmail.com)

A Brief Biodata: James Charles Davis (J. Charles Davis) is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar, India. He has degrees in education, philosophy, sociology, theology and religions. He obtained a doctorate in moral theology and bioethics for his remarkable research on ethics of human embryonic stem cell research: proposals for a legal framework for India from the Jesuit University of Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt. He was an Assistant Professor of philosophy, theology, bioethics, biomedical ethics and social ethics at the Faculties of Philosophy and Theology of Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, the Pontifical Academy of Philosophy and Religion and Director of JDV Centre for Applied Ethics, Pune. Among others, he is a member of the Forum for Medical Ethics Society, Mumbai and the European Society for Catholic Theology, and is on the Editorial Board of the Palliative Care Case Reports of the Journal of Annals of Medical Case Reports, California. He is an honorary coordinator for German Doctors e. V. Bonn. Presently he is doing a (Habilitation) postdoctoral research on human digntiy for bioethics and biolaw at the University of Freiburg with the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Research Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany (cj1021@theol.uni-freiburg.de; www.jamescharlesdavis.wordpress.com).