An interview from the Secretariat for Social Justice and Ecology (SJES)
[From “Jesuits 2024 - The Society of Jesus in the world”]

An interview with a Jesuit who put science in the hands of the poor.

Wherever they have been sent in the world, Jesuits have made important contributions not only in pastoral ministry and education, but also in the scientific disciplines. This was the case in India and is still the case today. While not directly involved in the environmental field, in recent years Jesuits have increasingly taken initiatives in what can be called environmental justice. Promoting ecological awareness, reforestation, water purification measures, defence of tribal natural resources are some examples. Others have studied biodiversity or created botanical gardens.

One man of science who stands out among Indian Jesuits is Fr Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu. He is primarily a biologist, but his scope is very broad, having published over 800 scientific papers and 80 books with two US and 12 Indian patents. It is worth noting that a species of insect bears his name, Jacthrips ignacimuthui, as well as a natural molecule, Ignaciomycin. He is one of the top 1% scientists in the world based on the number of citations of his work by other scientists. We interviewed him.

Father Ignacimuthu, you are a man of science and a man of God; where do you find unity in your life?

The basic foundational experience of the Divine from my childhood and the awe and wonder I experience when I encounter nature have helped me integrate my spirituality of seeing God in all things and all things in God. Recognition of God’s presence in the created beings and things in the universe is the outcome of my union with God. By means of created things, whether big or small, the divine confronts me, penetrates me and moulds me. Thus, creation and spirituality converge upon the same view of the reality, that is, vision of God in the concrete world. In this way I experience the unity of being a man of science and a man of God.

What has your work as a biologist taught you?

The most important lesson I learnt from my work as a biologist was the understanding that everything and every life are inter-connected and inter-dependent in this world. The orderly nature of the universe and the diversity of life forms on earth are very evident everywhere. They constantly proclaim unity and relatedness. The complexity of life and its perfect coordination are indeed stepping-stones for awe and wonder. The mathematical principles that govern everything in this universe and the world are the foundation for this. For example, the elegance and the organization of the DNA and RNA, their multiple consequences of the copying mechanisms and their implications in expressions are fascinating. The extensive interaction of miniscule independent cells with one another and the formation of various organs that contribute to life’s success are indeed the evidences for the relatedness of all.

You have made discoveries and inventions and won many awards. In all this, how do you feel you have served the poor in your country?

My research outputs have contributed to the welfare of the poor in the following ways: 1) India is a country where agriculture occupies an important place in the lives of poor people. When we realized how the poor farmers were suffering due to excessive use of synthetic chemical pesticides and how the environment and food grains were getting affected, we decided to find an alternative. We developed a natural bio pesticide named PONNEEM which is safe, ecofriendly, and biodegradable; it is also less costly than chemical pesticides. We also taught the farmers to prepare it by themselves. 2) India is also a country where many people depend on herbal medicine to treat diseases. We have scientifically validated some of the herbs and promoted their use among the poor. 3) During the Covid-19 pandemic, we developed a natural herbal hand sanitizer which was very effective against pathogens. We popularized it among the poor. 4) Many textbooks on Environment, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Bioethics were written and published by reputed publishers in India at low cost to help poor students.

How have your commitments been related to the ideas of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato si’?

Pope Francis gives a clarion call to take care of our mother earth. We answered the call. We have trained more than 50,000 students as agents of environmental protection, more than 60,000 farmers as practitioners of organic farming and sustainable agriculture, documented the floral and insect diversity of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, and published the traditional medical knowledge of the indigenous tribal people of Tamil Nadu for future generations. We have also trained 10,000 women farmers to prepare natural fertilizer like enriched vermicompost to reduce the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. We have trained many self-help women groups to prepare herbal household and sanitary products with a view to reduce pollution. I have written books on Environmental Spirituality and Praying with Creation to promote love for our common home.