The legal profession, as everyone is aware, is essential to ensure the protection of people’s rights, maintaining the rule of law, and promoting social progress. Lawyers in particular play important roles in defending the basic rights of individuals and communities, safeguarding human dignity, and ensuring accountability. They truly serve as guardians of justice, and advocates for the voiceless, contributing to the well-being of society. Hence, responding to the signs of the time, the province had sent Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, msfs,to pursue LLB studies after many years of his ministry at SFS schools in Alangayam and Vaniyambodi. While residing at Vinayalaya, Bengaluru, he started his studies in Law at Bangaluru University and completed it in 2008.
Then, he joined the Legal Cell in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, working with the senior Advocate Fr. Arul Raj, practicing at Madras Hight Court for a few years. Then later, he moved to Madurai and practiced law at Madurai Hight Court along with other diocesan priest advocates. Realizing the need of the time, the province had allowed Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu, msfs to serve the Tamil Nadu legal cell. He is currently practicing as a lawyer in the Madras High Court, and our catholic institutions and parishes are benefiting immensely by his legal service. He was the first one to venture into this social ministry in the province and he is completely committed to his profession as a lawyer. He helps various groups of people including priests and religious in addressing and settling the legal issues which they encounter in their institutions. Besides practicing law and handling cases related to various legal issues of people, he conducts seminars and lectures in the seminaries, providing counseling and legal guidance to theologians, priests, religious and the laity from various professions.
The province has prepared the ground for the continuation of this ministry by sending another confrere Fr. K. Dominic Savio, msfs to pursue LLB studies. Moreover, realizing the need of time, Fr. A. Patrick Jayaraj, msfs, the provincial after consulting the administration, appointed Justice and Peace Integrity Commission which consists of Fr. V. Sahaya Berdinand Selvan, msfs (coordinator), Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, msfs, Fr. K. Dominic Savio, msfs and Fr. D. Emmanuel Sathish, msfs.