REV. FR. FRANCIS K.O.
Born – 22ND July 1934
Priestly Ordination – 15th April 1982
Died – 24th May 2013
Rev. Fr. Francis K.O, S/o Ouseph and Elizabeth, was born on July 22, 1934 in Kalambaden House, Nedungapra, Ernakulam District, Kerala. He had his secondary education from St. Antony’s H.S. Nedungapra. Thereafter, until the completion of his philosophical studies he was with the Carmelites in Kerala. He was sent to St. Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur, to study Theology. His priestly ordination was on April 15, 1982 in Negungapra, Kerala. In 1982 he received his first appointment as the Assistant Parish Priest of Birabhanti Mission. The last official post he held in our diocese was that of the Parish Priest of Azamgarh. Between 1982 and 1998 he worked in different places like Nagwa, Bhojubir, Ballia, Jamwaon, Sikanderpur, Majhgain and Jaunpur. People remember him as a simple, soft spoken and pious person. He was a man of prayer and was much sought after as a confessor and water diviner.
From 1999 onwards he had been staying in Kerala due to his poor health. However, he did not fail to keep in touch with our diocese through telephone calls and yearly visits. During such visits he used to spend some quality time with Fr. Jacob Aranha, his good friend.
For the past two years Fr. Francis had been residing in a house of TOR Fathers in Vadakkenchery, Palghat. Just ten days before he died, that is, on the 14th of May, I visited him and spent some time conversing with him alone and also with the TOR Fathers, his hosts. He was happy and resasonably healthy. Therefore, the news of his death was indeed shocking.
His funeral service was fixed for 25th May at 3.00 p.m. Fr. Jacob Aranah, Fr. Jacob Panamthottam, Fr. Thomas C. and Fr. Joby John represented all of us at the funeral. It was very kind of Sister Jyothis, Superior General of Medical Sisters of St. Joseph to have attended the funeral. Father Jacob Panamthottam, who preached the euology on the funeral day, attended the 7th day Mass as well. We are grateful to all those people who assisted Father Francis K.O. when he was ill and all those who worked hard to organize his funeral. Our thanks are due to the TOR Fathers of Vadakkenchery, relatives of Father Francis, the Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Nedungapra, and Most Rev. George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam.
I am sure all of you have prayed for the repose of the soul of Fr. Francis K.O. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
+Raphy Manjaly
Bishop of Varanasi