With deep sense of sorrow in our hearts we bring to you the news of the demise of Most Rev. Patrick Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Diocese of Varanasi at 9.50 a.m. on Thursday, 16^th October, 2014 at Fatima Hospital, Mau. He was 87. On the same day this sad news was communicated to you from the office of the Bishop’s House, Varanasi.

 

Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza after his retirement on April 30, 2007 was residing in Nav Sadhana at Varanasi. In November 2011, on his interest, he moved to Fatima Hospital, Mau, where he could receive the required medical attention and care. For the last one year he was mostly confined to his room due to complaints of ill-disposition. Towards the end of August 2014 his health deteriorated rapidly and remained critical. He was administered the last Sacrament timely. He embraced death in peace and serenity in the presence of Sr. Lucy SRA, Sr. Navya MSJ, Sr. Anie MSJ and other sisters and staff of Fatima community.

 

The body of Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza was brought to Varanasi on 16^th October at 4.30 p.m. and kept at Bishop’s House, Varanasi for visitors. Thereafter clergy, religious, laity, leaders and friends of other religions from the city of Kashi, teachers and students of schools have been flocking to pay their respect to the departed shepherd, father, brother, friend, teacher and leader. Prayers and Divine Office for the dead were conducted round the clock. Different groups of religious, formation houses, priests and laity took turns to keep wake. The Bishop’s House was filled with an atmosphere of great loss and grief.

 

On Saturday 18^th October 2014 at 1.20 p.m., the entire clergy of the diocese together with Archbishops and bishops of the Hindi region and family members of Bishop gathered around the coffin for the final rite. Rev. Fr. Sudhir D’Souza, the nephew of the departed Bishop conducted the introductory rite at Bishop’s House. Thereafter the body was carried in solemn procession by the clergy amidst thousands of faithful gathered and was placed at the centre of the Cathedral. The funeral Mass, presided over by Most Rev. Abraham Viruthakulangara, Archbishop of Nagpur was attended by hundreds of priests and nuns; thousands of faithful from the parishes of the diocese, civil dignitaries and leaders of other faiths. The homily was preached by Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of Allahabad. At the end of the Mass significant representatives offered their tribute to the departed soul.

 

After the Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, the body was taken to the specially built grave beside the Cathedral. With the final prayer and blessing, the mortal remains of the departed Bishop was sealed in the coffin and was lowered to the grave at 4.10 p.m. and was laid to rest on the north east side of the entrance patio of the Cathedral.

 

Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza was born on 28 April 1928, at Bendoor, in Mangalore, Karnataka. He did his High School studies from St. Anselm’s H.S. Ajmer, Rajasthan Senior School Leaving Certificate. In the examination conducted by University of Cambridge, he received I Division with distinction in five subjects. He was winner in General Proficiency and General Knowledge for two years of Inter-school examinations conducted by the Teachers’ Association of Ajmer – Mewar.

 

After Studies in Philosophy in the year l94l – 1950, at St. Joseph’s Seminary Mangalore, Karnataka, he left for Collegio Urbano, Rome, to do specialization in Mystical Theology. The Thesis for his Doctorate has been ‘Apostolate – its significance in God’s Plan’ and published. In Post graduate Degree in Theology (DD) his thesis was awarded ‘summa cum laude’. He received the highest rating possible, the points being 29.14 out of 30.

 

He studied M.Sc. (Physics) from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. Thereafter he did B.Ed. from University of Udaipur securing first position in the University. He was Member of Moral Science Committee, Rajasthan Education Board. He won the Essay competition organized by NCERT for Teachers. The theme was the Science Syllabus of Graduate classes of Rajasthan University.

 

He was ordained Priest in Rome on December 20,1953 for the Diocese of Ajmer.

 

He served as the Deputy secretary General of the catholic Bishops’ Conference of India from December 1966 to August 1970. On August 08, 1970 he was ordained as Bishop of Varanasi.

 

During 1972 to 1979 he was the Secretary General of Catholic Bishops Conference of India. He was the Member, Standing Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences

 

He was the Chairman, Mission Office, Federation of Asian Bishops’ conferences from 1976 to 1982; from 1988 to 1994.

 

From 1979 he held many important posts like Member of the Pontifical Council for Dialogue among religions; Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Liturgy, Commission for Laity, Commission for Dialogue, Commission for social communications, Commission for proclamation, Vice President of CCBI; Member of Synods of the Universal Church on Evangelization, Catechesis, Family, Laity; Member of various committees in connection with the above works.

 

From 1965 onwards he held different posts like Board member, chairman, vice-chairman etc. of St. John’s Medical college, Bangalore and played praise-worthy role in its growth and development.

 

Has conducted many seminars at Regional, National and International level for Church leaders and laity on varied subjects: Inter-religious Dialogue, Liturgy, Social Communications, Proclamation, etc. Even today his name is associated with the “Church in India Seminar” (1969)

 

On April 30, 2007 he retired from the office of the Bishop of Varanasi.

 

“Witness to Truth” was the motto for his Episcopal Ministry. Under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Patrick the promotion of inculturation, inter-religious dialogue and the development of an India rite liturgy have been given the much desired thrust. With fortitude, courage, wisdom and clarity of vision for the mission of the Church he has exercised the universal nature of his Priestly and Episcopal service by assuming his duties in a spirit of surrender and commitment to the needs of the church.

 

A genuine man of the Church, shepherd of the people, prince of the mission and friend of all, especially the less privileged and the specially abled, Bishop Patrick submitted himself fully and completely for building an image of a caring Church in Varanasi as well as in India.

 

We pray that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary he may now receive the eternal reward God has promised for his good and faithful servants.

 

 

 

Fr. Eugene Joseph

Administrator

Diocese of Varanasi