Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Mar 10: Fr Daniel Cerofolini, former parish priest of St Mary's Dubai, passed away on Monday March 9 in the infirmary of the Capuchin Friary of Montughi in Florence, at the age of 95. He was a professed Capuchin for 75 years, a priest for 69 years and a missionary for 56 years.

Born on December 27, 1919, he joined the Capuchin seminary at the age of 16. Two years after his ordination in 1946, he travelled by boat to India and worked in the mission of his province in the north for 23 years. He became fluent in Hindi and Urdu, which was later of great help in the Gulf.

From 1972-1974, he served in the mission of his Tuscan Province in Central Tanzania and was then transferred to the Gulf mission of the Capuchins and stayed for 30 years until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 85.

Aden was his first appointment in the Gulf, where the political turmoil of the time brought a lot of suffering for the missionaries.

From 1976 to the blessing of the new St Joseph's Church in Abu Dhabi, he was parish priest of Abu Dhabi for 8 years, then of St Mary's, Dubai, for 20 years – with a short stay in Al Ain in the mid-80s.

As parish priest of St Mary's, he built the new St Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali which was inaugurated in November 2001, and became an independent parish.

Fr Daniel was loved by everybody. His leadership was strong and also just, he gave himself totally to his mission. For many years he was also Regular Superior of the Capuchin Friars in the Gulf and on the council of the Bishop.

During the 10 years since his return to Italy, his health gradually deteriorated. He lost his hearing but kept his strong body and was bedridden only for the last month.

There will be a memorial service at St Mary’s Church, Dubai  on Wednesday March 11 at 7 pm and the Holy Mass will be presided over by Bishop Paul Hinder.