Kuwait-born Fr Francis Fernandes (47) Dies in Road Accident in USA

Media Release

Kuwait, May 5: Fr Francis Fernandes, the first Kuwait-born priest died in a tragic car accident on Wednesday May 2 in Texas (USA).

Fr Francis served in the Vicariate Apostolic of Kuwait since his ordination on December 3, 1995. He was the first priest to be born and ordained in Kuwait. Fr. Francis will be lovingly remembered by his parishioners in Kuwait, for his kindness and great sense of humour.

On Saturday May 5 at 6.30 pm a mass will be held at the Holy Family Cathedral for the repose of his soul.

About Fr Francis:

Fr Francis was born in Ahmadi, Kuwait, on January 30, 1962.  Though his ancestral home was in Colva in Goa, his parents were employed in KOC at the time of his birth. He completed his studies in Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) and Goa, India, and returned to Kuwait in 1981. He then worked in the private sector in various capacities. 

Having heeded the call to serve Christ and His Church, Fr Francis left Kuwait in December 1986 to join the Seminary and begin his formation for the priesthood. For one year he did his Regency and served at the Sacred Heart Church, Burdwan in West Bengal, India as a seminarian, being in charge of the Boys Boarding School and other responsibilities in the church. This enabled him to get a fore-taste of the work involved as a future priest.

He Francis began his formal formation for the priesthood and from June 1988 he did his Minor Seminary formation for two years at St John Mary Vianney Seminary in Barasat, West Bengal until May 1990. In June the same year he began his Philosophical Studies at Morning Star College, Barrackpore, for two years until May, 1992. In June 1992 he began his Theological studies at St Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai, India and completed the same in October 1995.

Fr Francis was ordained a Deacon to the priesthood by Bishop Ferdinand J Fonseca, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai on March 30, 1995 at St Pius Seminary, Mumbai, India. This was followed by his ordination to the priesthood at the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait on December 3, 1995 by Bishop Francis Micallef of Kuwait.

Following his ordination, Fr Francis left Kuwait to pursue his higher studies in Canon Law on June 19, 1998. He completed his Masters in Canon Law in March 2000, under the Urbaniana University of Rome, who have given their faculties to St Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, India. He then began practicing at the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Mumbai before returning to Kuwait.

Fr Francis will be lovingly remembered by his parishioners in Kuwait, for his kindness and wonderful sense of humour. May his soul rest in peace.