From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 19: Goan born senior priest of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Fr Albert Saleema (69), died at St Philomena’s Hospital, Bengaluru, on Wednesday evening.

The mortal remains of Fr Saleema will be brought from St John’s Medical College Hospital’s mortuary at kept for public homage at the Sacred Heart’s Church at 9.30 am and the funeral mass and burial service will be conducted at the Sacred Heart’s Church and the Priests’ Cemetery at Richmond Road in Bengaluru at 10.30 am.

Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto along with the Vicar Generals Msgr Jayanathan and C Francis and other priests will be offering the funeral mass.

Archbishop of Bangalore Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras, who is attending the general body meeting of the Pontifical Council for Health Care in Rome, had visited Fr Saleema prior to his departure to Rome on November 15 and administered the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick in view of his illness after being recently diagnosed with abdominal cancer. As it was in its advanced stage, the doctors could not help him much, and he too was aware of his health condition and was well prepared to meet with the Lord.

In a condolence message from Rome, Archbishop Moras said he celebrated Holy Mass with Pope Francis at St Martha’s Chapel in the Vatican on Thursday morning and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased priest and for all his near and dear ones.

The 69-year-old Fr Saleema was born on June 2, 1946 at Maina in Goa and he was ordained on January 4, 1972 and had served the Archdiocese for 43 years in different capacities.