Bantwal: Fr Jossy Sequeira (32), relative killed in accident at Kalladka

Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Inputs from Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno
Additional pics by Muhammed Irshad

Bantwal, Oct 21: Fr John Jossy Sequeira (32) from Uppinangady, serving in Shimoga diocese, was killed in a collision between a KSRTC bus and a car near Purlipady in Kalladka here on Monday October 21.

Fr Jossy's cousin Loveleena Vinitha D’Souza (21) was also killed in the accident. She was the daughter of Vincent D’Souza and Lucy Fernandes from Kakkepadavu belonging to Madanthyar parish. She was a final year engineering student of Vivekananda Engineering College, Puttur.

As per the information obtained, Fr Jossy Sequeira along with his cousin was travelling in a car from Uppinangady to Mother of God Church, Mogarnad to attend a relative's wedding. On the way, a KSRTC bus plying from Mangalore to Puttur rammed into their car.

Fr Jossy was the assistant parish priest in St Joseph Church, Sagar, Shimoga from two years. Prior to that he served as secretary in the Bishop's House, Shimoga for two years. Born on January 23, 1981, he was ordained to priesthood on April 4, 2010.

He was on his way to attend the nuptial mass of Roshan Fernandes, the driver of Shimoga Bishop’s House and his bride is from Sagar. It was a double marriage of Roshan and his brother Ronald whose bride is from Shimoga.

"He was a young and energetic priest of Shimoga. The incident is very tragic and sad. We have lost a very good priest. He was much loved by his people in the parish where he was serving," said Bishop Henry D’Souza, the administrator of Shimoga and bishop of Bellary.

According to Fr Duming Dias of Diocese of Shimoga "Fr John Jossy was a good and effective preacher; was a good resource person to train students."

Brother of Fr John Jossy Sequeira is Fr Vincent Sequeira who is a priest of the diocese of Mangalore and is the professor of scripture at St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary, Mangalore. The professors of the seminary and priests from Shimoga have reached the hospital to assist in any way possible.

Bantwal police have registered a case. The bus driver who sustained injuries has been admitted to a private hospital.

The mortal remains of the priest are placed in the mortuary of a private hospital in Mangalore.

On Tuesday October 22, the body will be taken to St Joseph’s Church, Sagar in Shimoga diocese where he was the assistant parish priest. At 3.30 pm, a Mass will be celebrated in Sagar Church for the repose of his soul.

After the Mass in Sagar the body will be brought to his native parish of Uppinangady and the mass and funeral would be held at Our Lady Virgin of the Poor Church, Uppinangady at 10.30 am on Wednesday October 23.

Both the Masses in Sagar as well as Uppinangady will be presided over by Dr Henry D’Souza, the Apostolic administrator of Shimoga and bishop of Bellary.

The funeral mass of Loveleena will be held on Tuesday of October 22 at 3.30 pm in Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar.