by Fr Francis Rodrigues - Raknno

Rev. Fr Alexander Cyril D’Souza  (68 years), a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore for 40 years went to the heavenly abode in the evening on Wednesday 24th of March, 2010 after a short illness at a private hospital in Mangalore.

His Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday 26th March, 2010 at Valencia Church and the mortal remains will be interred at priests’ cemetery in Valencia.

He was born in Belthangady Parish on 28-5-1942 as the son of Mr Ligoury D’Souza and Mrs Therese D’Cunha. After his initial studies in Belthangady he joined St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary, Jeppu as the candidate of the Diocese of Mangalore. He was ordained priest on 4-12-1969.

After ordination he served Omzoor and Bendur parishes as Assistant Pastor. He served as the Parish Priest of Bolkunje, Mogarnad, Nainadu and Cascia parishes. From the year 1991 to 1999 he served as the effective Secretary of the Catholic Board of  Education which manages all the educational institutions of the Diocese of Mangalore from K.G. to P.G. In between for a year he served as a Socius priest in Bendure Church and had retired in the year 2007 after which he resided in the Vianney Home – the house for the retired priests.

He was simple and of an approachable nature.  Was very keen with his responsibility and not sought or expected any praises. He attended his work with sincerity.  The parishioners wherever he served have a great appreciation for him.  He is known to have helped number of poor people in their needs. He was a smooth spoken pastor and effective administrator. Was a friend of everyone being a person of friendly nature. Was very delicate in his approaches with people. 

Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore and Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu,  the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore have expressed that we have lost a good and simple priest from our Diocese and condoled his death.