Media Release

Belagavi, Oct 20: Widely known as a priest with great enthusiasm and social commitment, eminent priest and educationist belonging to the diocese of Belagavi Rev Fr Xavier Rangel (66) died of a brief illness on Thursday, October 20.

He had served in various educational institutions in the region.

Hailing from Khanapur, Belagavi, Fr Rangel completed his early schooling at Nirmala High School, Modage and joined St Michael’s Minor Seminary, Macche. Later, he completed philosophical and theological studies at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. He was ordained a priest on May 4, 1978, in Belagavi.

Diligent, gifted with a great talent for administration, Fr Rangel served as an assistant teacher for six years at St Xavier’s High School, Belgaum, and in 1986, he was promoted to the principal of the same institution. Later he served as principal of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya High School, Khanapur, Fatima High School, Hubli, St Joseph’s High School, Dharwad and once again in St Xavier’s High School, Belgaum from 2001 – 2007.

Once father retired from his school life, he joined as a Parish Priest of Mount Carmel Church, Shahapur, and Belgaum and was imparting religious duties till date.

Bishop of Belagavi Dr Peter Machado has condoled the death of Fr Rangel stating that the Diocese of Belagavi has lost a fine teacher, priest, able administrator and a well-seasoned educationist.