Br Nelson D’Souza
Pics: Kevin & Stany
Mangalore, Aug 25: Fr Archibald J Albuquerque, parish priest of St Roque’s Church, Neerude, breathed his last on Wednesday August 20 at 4.30 am due to a massive heart attack. He was just 62 years and he had just completed his 62nd birthday on Independence Day; a week before his demise.
The funeral was held at St Roque’s Church, Neerude. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore presided over the Eucharist. Fr Archie was buried in St Roque’s graveyard in the vicinity of Neerude church campus. There were around 1600 people present for the funeral ceremony and nearly 200 priests concelebrated the Eucharist. There was enormous co-operation and interest from the parishners in organizing the funeral ceremony systematically.
Fr Archie was born on August 15, 1953 to Aloysius and Lily Albuquerque of Derebail. Fr Archie was one amongst six children. He had three brothers and two sisters. He had a twin brother named Richard. His twin sisters are Bethany nuns - Sr Immaculate who is working in Bathinda, Punjab and Sr Marylytte, working in Kulshekar.
Fr Archie was ordained as a priest of the diocese of Mangalore on April 22, 1981. He served as an assistant parish priest in Karkala town during 1981-'82 and of Bejai between 1982 and 1984. He was the parish priest of Borimar (1984-1991), Basrur (1991-1997), Nirkan (1997-2004), Manjeshwar (2004-2005), Badyar (2005-2012), Nakre (2012-2013) and Neerude from 2013.
Fr Archie built the new church of Basrur as the earlier church was too small; built a gigantic high school building at the Nirkan church grounds together with a hall in it, modernised the sacristy in Nirkan, renovated the parochial house together with a mini hall in Badyar, enhanced rubber cultivation and brought revenue to the church, erected a portico in Borimar church and was involved with the renovation of Neerude parochial house.
According to Fr Arun Mendonca, “He was a fervent priest; a noble man in character. He was very much considerate in his ministry and lived a life of simplicity.” Whenever he was appointed to different parishes he never asked that he should be sent to any particular parish only.
According to Br Nelson D’Souza, “He was witty and humorous. I was fortunate to experience his, soft speaking and gentle tender heart and more over his hospitality during my Sunday ministry. He was known for his generosity. He was a very holy and humane priest and only those who have experienced his tender heart will know him truly. The incident is very tragic and sad. We have lost a very good priest.”
The seventh day mass will be celebrated on Wednesday August 27 at St Roque’s Church, Neerude for the repose of the soul of the Fr Archie.