“Great men are like eternal mountains, The further you go away from them, the more magnificent they appear. They remain immortal in their mission and message.” This is true of Fr Thomas Kochery, CSsR., of Bangalore Province who passed away on 3rd May, 2014, after 74 years of his dedicated life and service especially to the fishworkers.
In him we see a clear example of creative fidelity of Redemptorist Charism. His theology was theocentric, his mission was universal including people of every class, caste, religion, language, culture and tradition. Today, National Fishwokers Forum Chairperson Ramakrishna Tandel, Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti Chairman Kiran Koli, Andhra Pradesh Traditional Fisher Union President K Lakshmi, Odisha Traditional Fishworkers Union President K Allaya, KSMTF leaders Anto Elias, Baby Mercy, Sr. Mercy Mathew of Cheru Reshmi Centre, Priya Darshini of Delhi Forum, Vijayan MJ, Maju Varghese the Office bearers of Fr Thomas Kocherry Resource Centre, visited and paid homage to Fr. Tom at his tomb on 16th May 2025.
We thank God for Fr. Tom, our zealous missionary confrere. May the flame of his zeal and commitment to the cause of the marginalized never be extinguished. May it continue to inspire, enlighten and empower in our mission for God’s Kingdom beyond boundaries.
Life and works of Fr. Thomas Kocherry, CSsR.
Fr. Thomas Kocherry, C.Ss.R. (1940–2014), was an Indian Redemptorist priest, lawyer, and a prominent social activist renowned for his unwavering commitment to the rights of traditional fishing communities and environmental justice.
Early Life and Ordination
Born on May 11, 1940, in Changanassery, Kerala, India, Thomas Kocherry was the fifth of eleven children. He pursued higher education in science and law, earning degrees from St. Berchmans College and Government Law College in Thiruvananthapuram. Inspired by the Redemptorist charism of serving the marginalized, he was ordained a priest in April 1971. His early ministry included working among refugees in Raiganj, near the Bangladesh-India border.
Advocacy for Fisherfolk and Environmental Justice
In the mid-1970s, Fr. Kocherry began working in Poonthura, a coastal village in Kerala, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles of traditional fishermen against industrial fishing practices. Recognizing the detrimental impact of mechanized trawling on marine ecosystems and local livelihoods, he co-founded the Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation and later played a pivotal role in establishing the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) in 1982.
His activism included organizing protests, legal battles, and hunger strikes, notably an 11-day fast in 1981 demanding a ban on mechanized trawling during the monsoon season. This led to the enactment of the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act, which imposed restrictions on large vessels operating close to the coastline during breeding seasons. He also opposed the introduction of foreign joint ventures in India’s fishing industry, advocating for the rights of small-scale fishers.
International Recognition and Continued Activism
Fr. Kocherry’s efforts extended beyond India. In 1997, he was elected coordinator of the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers, representing over 100 million fishers worldwide. Despite receiving international accolades, including the Sophie Prize in 1999, he notably declined the Pew Fellowship in Conservation and the Environment due to its association with an oil company, underscoring his commitment to ethical integrity.
He was also a vocal critic of globalization and environmental degradation, participating in movements against projects like the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. His activism often led to confrontations with authorities, resulting in multiple arrests.
Legacy
Fr. Thomas Kocherry passed away on May 3, 2014, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, at the age of 74. His funeral was attended by numerous well-wishers, reflecting the profound impact of his life’s work. Remembered as a “people’s priest,” his legacy continues to inspire movements for social and environmental justice.
Fr. George Puthenpura, CSsR.
