Thousands Bid an Emotional Farewell to Former Karwar Bishop
Fr. Thomas Misquith
KARWAR, Jul 22 : The body of late Bishop William D'Mello, Bishop Emeritus of Karwar, who died at Fr. Muller's Hospital on Tuesday, 19th July, was laid to rest today, at the Catherdral Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, Karwar at 5.30 pm. Thousands of people walked in the funeral procession earlier in the day, which started from St. Michael's Convent School grounds to the Cathedral.
The body was brought from Mangalore to Sandhya Vandan, Shirwad (Karwar) at about 1:00 a m on Wednesday. After dressing in priestly robes, it was placed in a refrigerated glass case and was kept in the Holy Cross Church Hall at Shirwad for public homage. Beginning from early morning of Wednesday, parish-wise groups arrived together with their parish clergy and the religious, spent a few hours each in prayer, singing hymns and celebrating Masses. Bishop Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar, celebrated Mass together with a few priests at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday which was attended by the students of Catholic schools in Karwar, together with their teachers. Thus there was continuous presence of the faithful till Thursday morning. The students of the Holy Cross Orientation Centre kept the whole night vigil with prayers and singing.
On Thursday at 9.30 a m the body was removed from the glass case and placed in the coffin and was taken in a open truck to Karwar, accompanied by the motorcade – two-wheelers in front and the four-wheelers behind the truck on which the coffin was placed for public view en route. There was a small prayer service at the St. Michael Convent School ground, after which the body was taken in procession to the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Kajubag, at about 11 a.m. There the members of public were given opportunity to pay their respects until 2 30 p m Thousands of people from all over the diocese including the local leaders and govt dignitaries took part in the same.
The funeral Mass began at 3 00 pm. Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore was the Main Celebrant together with the Bishop of Karwar, Derek Fernandes, Archbishops and Bishops including Archbishop Philipe Neri Ferrao and Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves from Goa, Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto of Bangalore, Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza (Mangalore), Bishop Thomas Vazhapilly (Mysore), Bishop Peter Machado (Belgaum), Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo (Shimoga), Bishop Robert Miranda (Gulbarga) and Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy (Belthangady). Besides almost all the priests from Karwar, many priests from Belgaum, Mangalore, Bangalore etc., large number of Religious Sisters, family members, relatives and friends of late Bishop D'Mello, and about 5000 lay faithful were present.
Bishop Peter Machado of Belgaum preached the homily and explained the deep faith of Bishop D'Mello amidst his sickness and suffering and how deeply he was committed to his mission. Archbishop Ignatius Pinto and Archbishop Bernard Moras expressed their feelings about the late Bishop in their obituary message. Msgr. Simon Tellis spoke on behalf of the priests of Karwar diocese, Sister Rosy H.C. on behalf of the Religious Sisters and Mr. Monte Fernandes on behalf of the lay faithful. Fr. Thomas Misquith, the Chancellor, read out the messages of the Holy Father received from the Secretary of State of His Holiness, of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples sent by Archbishop Fernando Filoni (Prefect) through the Apostolic Nuncio, of Bishop Ian Vokal, Bishop of Hradec Kralove, and the message of Mrs. Margaret Alva, Governor of Uttarakhand. A number of messages were received from other dignitaries and friends of late Bishop D'Mello, which could not be read out due to lack of time.
Finally Bishop Derek Fernandes spoke, thanking one and all, specially those who had looked after the late Bishop throughout his illness and especially in his last days. He made special mention of Sr. Paula F.S.M., who had worked for Bishop D'Mello right at the inception of the diocese and again had taken solicitous care of his in his illness until she left for her Mother House in France a few months ago; Sr. Rosa S.C.B., who had taken care of Bishop D'Mello for more than 14 years until she was transferred to Mysore an year ago, and Sr. Annie S.C.B. who looked after Bishop very well after Sr. Rosa left, and accompanied him to Fr. Muller's, Mangalore during his last days.
He also thanked the Fathers of Puneeth Sadan Community and the other Sisters for the excellent service they had rendered to Bishop D'Mello at Sandhya Vandan during his illness. He also thanked all those, who in one way or the other had contributed to the funeral arrangements including the preparation of the grave. Bishop Derek candidly expressed his feelings of appreciation for Bishop D'Mello and his gratitude for the guidance and support that he received from him after he took possession of the diocese as his successor.
After final commendation and farewell, the mortal remains of Bishop William D'Mello were laid to rest in the specially built grave in the Cathedral Church in front of the Altar. The entire ceremony,. which was beautifully and meticulously organized, came to an end at about 6 30 p m Fr. Stany Pinto efficiently compered the entire ceremony.
Obituary & Condolence messages :