Kohima, September 6 (MExN): Rev Fr Dr Alphonsus D’Souza SJ of the Jesuit Region of Kohima passed away this morning after a brief illness. He was 78.
The funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Sunday, September 8 at the Jesuit Novitiate, at Shillong, Meghalaya.
Fr Alphonsus has been influential in his life, both as a Priest and an Educator. In 1972 he set up the Department of Social Sciences at St Aloysius College, Mangalore. He moved to St Joseph’s College, Jakama in 1994, where he set up the Sociology Department.
Fr Alphonsus D’Souza is considered the “Father of Sociology in Nagaland,” a press release informed. At the time of his death, he was Professor Emeritus, Dept of Sociology, St Joseph’s College, it said. During the last decade, he has been a part of the North-Eastern Social Research Center, Guwahati with the designation Senior Research Fellow.
He has held many teaching and administrative positions in the Education sector including Vice-Principal, St Aloysius College, 1973-1979, Vice-Principal, St Joseph's College, Jakhama, 1995-1999, Acting Principal, St Joseph's College, Jakhama, 1999-2000, Professor & Head, Dept of Sociology, St Joseph's College, Jakhama, Nagaland, 1995- 2007, Professor Emeritus, St Joseph's College, Jakhama, 2007 - Until his death), Associate Director, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati. 1997-2012, and Visiting Professor, Dept of Sociology & Anthropology & Sociology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. 2006.
He was a member of several professional organizations related to Sociology and has published more than 15 research papers, the release added.
