Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 24: Monsignor Leslie F Shenoy, revered priest, educationist and philanthropist whose extraordinary generosity touched thousands of lives across coastal Karnataka and beyond, passed away on Sunday, May 24, at the age of 79 at Father Muller Medical College Hospital.
Public homage will be paid from 2.30 pm, followed by the funeral Mass at 3 pm at Immaculate Conception Church on Wednesday, May 27.
Widely admired for his humility, pastoral commitment and selfless philanthropy, Msgr Shenoy spent decades serving the Church while quietly donating much of his personal wealth towards education, healthcare and social welfare initiatives within the Diocese of Mangalore.
Born into the Urwa parish in Mangaluru, Msgr Shenoy completed his early education at Canara High School before obtaining a Master’s degree from University of Calcutta. He later pursued studies at California State University, Fresno.
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Calcutta on May 14, 1976, at his home parish in Urwa. While serving the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in 1979, he made his first visit to the United States. Though he initially travelled in connection with Church duties, he later obtained permanent residency and eventually American citizenship in 1985.
Msgr Shenoy subsequently served in three parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, including churches associated with air force bases. In recognition of his distinguished contribution to the Church, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of Prelate of Honour.
Despite spending decades abroad, Msgr Shenoy remained deeply connected to his roots in Mangaluru and became one of the most prominent benefactors of the Diocese of Mangalore.
His philanthropic legacy spans education, housing, healthcare and elderly care. Through the Catholic Board of Education, he established a Rs 1 crore scholarship fund to support deserving Catholic students pursuing higher education. The fund, created from his personal savings, has become a lifeline for economically disadvantaged families across the diocese.
During the 2024 scholarship distribution programme for 76 first-year PU students, Msgr Shenoy had said: “This act of kindness is rooted in the commandment of Jesus, ‘Love thy neighbour.’ The scholarships come from my savings during my military service. I expect nothing in return, except your prayers. I encourage you to excel in your studies and remember to share your blessings with others when the opportunity arises.”
Speaking at the same programme, Fr Antony Shera had remarked: “Msgr Leslie Shenoy has always demonstrated a generous spirit, sharing his resources for the betterment of the community. His benevolence extends to all people, and his noble work deserves our utmost appreciation.”
Msgr Shenoy’s commitment to education also resulted in the construction of the Msgr Leslie Shenoy Boys’ Hostel at Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Institute in Bajjodi. Built at a cost of Rs 1.98 crore, the three-storeyed hostel accommodates 80 students and was specifically envisioned to support poor and needy youth pursuing higher studies.
The project, which took nearly six years to complete, fulfilled what he had once described as a lifelong dream to create a safe residential space for underprivileged students. At the inauguration ceremony, he said it was his “responsibility to give back to society in gratitude for all that I received from God.”
In another remarkable act of charity, Msgr Shenoy inaugurated the Msgr Leslie Shenoy Senior Citizen Home in Puttur on his 78th birthday. The modern elderly care facility, built at a personal cost of Rs 1.2 crore entirely from his retirement savings, was handed over to the Sisters of St Joseph of Tarbes for management.
“There are no benefactors for this building. All contribution comes from me, me alone, and from my retirement fund,” he had stated emotionally during the inauguration ceremony.
The home, initially equipped with 10 beds, was envisioned as a sanctuary offering “love, care and dignity” to elderly citizens. Describing the project as the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream, Dr Sr Florine Mathias of Father Patrao Hospital had said: “Today, this dream has been realised through the profound goodness of Msgr Shenoy.”
Msgr Shenoy was also honoured in 2016 on the completion of 40 years of priesthood at a grand celebration held at Immaculate Conception Church, Urwa. The thanksgiving Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by five bishops and 65 priests and attended by hundreds of parishioners, family members and friends.
The event featured the reading of a Papal blessing sent by Pope Francis and was attended by bishops including Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Henry D’Souza, Bishop Peter Machado, Bishop John Thomas and Bishop Cyprian Monis.
Throughout his life, clergy and faithful alike regarded Msgr Shenoy as a priest who translated faith into action through quiet service, compassion and extraordinary generosity. His contributions towards student welfare, social upliftment, healthcare and elderly care have left an enduring legacy within the Diocese of Mangalore and among countless families whose lives he transformed.