Pierre Johanns

Pierre Johanns (1 April 1882, Heinerscheid, G.-D. du Luxembourg - 8 February 1955, Arlon, Belgium) was a Luxemburger Jesuit priest, missionary in India and Indologist.

Formation

After theological studies at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and Indology in Oxford (England) he was sent to India in 1921 where he was professor at St. Xavier's College, Calcutta, and at the Jesuit Theologate of Kurseong (Darjeeling).

Christian approach to Hinduism

A pioneer in promoting a new approach to Hindu Spirituality and Theology which he popularized through his Review "Light of the East" he prepared the radical change of outlook towards Eastern non-Christian religions that ultimately found its way into the Vatican II declaration "Nostra Aetate" (on non-Christian Religions).Inspired by the writings of Brahmabandhab Upadhyay (1861-1907), Johanns found in Shankara, the great Hindu Philosopher of the 9th century, spiritual and theological paths leading to Christ. Doing so he initiated an 'inculturation' movement of the Christian faith. His main work was published in 1932-33 : "Vers le Christ par le Vedanta" (2 vol.). Due to ill health he returned to Europe and died in Arlon (Belgium) in 1955.

Works

*"Vers le Christ par le Vedanta", (2 vol.), Louvain, 1932-33.
*"Hinduism", London, 1935.
*"Introduction to the Vedanta", Ranchi, 1943.
*"La pensée religieuse de l'Inde", Namur, 1952.

Bibliography

*MATTAM Joseph, "Land of the Trinity; a Study of modern Christian approaches to Hinduism", Bangalore, TPI, 1975.
*de GREEFF T. (ed), "The Writings of P.Johanns", Bangalore, 1996.
*DOYLE Sean, "Synthesizing the Vedanta: the Theology of Pierre Johanns S.J.", Oxford, 2006.