Two Mangalorean Priests Die in a Road Crash Near Allahabad
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)
(Pictures of deceased not available at the moment)
Mangalore, Jan 29: In a tragic accident two Mangalorean priests Fr Michael D'Souza and Fr Oswald D'Souza, serving in the diocese of Allahabad were killed on Monday January 28 evening.
Speaking to Daijiworld over the phone Bishop Isidore Fernandes of Allahabad diocese said that Fr Michael D'Souza (42) and Fr Oswald D'Souza (50) were coming to Bishop's House for clergy recollection on a jeep. The jeep was driven by one Fr Rajesh Simon, a native of Bhetia near Ranchi. They had to cover almost 300 kilometres to reach Bishop's house from the place they were serving.
The accident occurred when they reached Raigharh, which is about 150 kilometres’ away from Allahabad. In a bid to avert a possible collision with a cyclist, Fr Rajesh turned the jeep to his left suddenly. As a result he lost control over the vehicle which turned turtle thrice resulting in the death of Fr Michael and Fr Oswald on the spot. They had sustained serious multiple injuries.
On the other hand Fr Rajesh who was thrown out of the vehicle too sustained serious head injuries and is under treatment in a hospital.
Fr Michael D'Souza hailed from Moodbelle near Shirva in Udupi. His parents are no more. He is survived by three brothers. Fr Oswald who hailed from Borimar near Bantwal lost his mother while his ageing father is at home. Fr Oswald is survived by his father, brothers and sisters.
Bishop Isidore said that since there is no mortuary nearby they are not able to keep their bodies for long. Hence their funeral will be held at 3.30 pm on Tuesday January 29. Moreover, when contacted over the phone, the family members of the deceased priests said that they are not able to travel to Allahabad immediately owing to transport problem. If at all they have to travel to Allahabad, they have to either go to Mumbai or Bangalore by plane and then reach Delhi from where there is connecting flight to Allahabad. But those possibilities are very bleak.
Moreover, the interment will be held in a common cemetery. But as per the local rules, the funeral rites have to be completed by 6 pm.
"Fr Michael and Fr Oswald were religious and for us religious brothers and sisters, our Congregation is itself a family. So we all are here today. Since it is our monthly recollection day, all the priests from the entire Allahabad diocese are here. Though the absence of their respective families will be felt, we will also ensure that we who are their brothers and sisters in Christ will be present in order to pay homage to these young priests who have served the diocese for long," Bishop Isidore Fernandes added.