Archbishop Ambrose Madtha Dies in Accident


Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print
Bellevision Media Network

Ivory Coast, Dec 9 (Agencies): The papal envoy to Ivory Coast, Indian Archbishop Ambrose Madtha, has been killed in a road accident in the west of the country, the Ivorian church announced.

 

Madtha was travelling back from the northwestern town of Odienne to an ordination ceremony in the country’s west on Saturday evening when his car collided with another vehicle.

 

“Unfortunately the apostolic nuncio died on the spot,” said Mathieu Tehan, spokesman for the western diocese of Man where the ceremony was to take place.

 

President Alassane Ouattara, in a statement read on national television, expressed his “deep regret” at the death and sent condolences to the church and Madtha’s family.

 

Madtha was born in Belthangady near Mangalore, India in 1955 to the late Joseph Madtha and May Madtha. He was the brother of Fr Henry Madtha and Rev Srs Theresa Madtha SCB and Bridget Madtha FMM.

 

He was an MA in Economics from Nagpur University and did his B Ed from Lucknow University. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St Charles Seminary Nagpur and obtained doctorate in canon law from Urban Univeristy in Rome.

 

He was ordained a priest in 1982.

 

Ambrose Madtha entered diplomatic service in June 1990 and had served apostolic nunciatures in Ghana, El Salvador, Georgia, Albania and Republic of China (Taiwan).

 

He became the doyen of the Ivorian diplomatic corps after arriving in 2008.

 

He tried to play a behind-the-scenes mediating role during Ivory Coast’s 2010-11 political crisis when the previous ruler, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to step down even though Ouattara was declared winner of presidential elections.

 

The Catholic church was put in a delicate position since some of the country’s bishops favoured Gbagbo, who comes from the country’s majority Christian south. Ouattara is from the largely Muslim north.

 

Last month Ouattara, accompanied by his Christian wife, met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. Ivory Coast and the Vatican agreed on “the role that the Catholic Church can offer for the good of the country, by encouraging and promoting human rights, dialogue and national reconciliation”, the Vatican said in a statement at the time.

 

Gbagbo is now awaiting trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

 

Around 40 percent of Ivory Coast’s population is Muslim and 40 percent Christian. Some 20 percent are believers in native religions

 

 

Comments on this Article
Rev James Elliott, Taipei,Taiwan Fri, January-25-2013, 6:18
We were so sad to hear of Abp Ambrose s passing. He was very much loved and respected while he was charge d affaires here. All our condolences, love, comfort and prayers to his family and friends. We are holding a special memorial service for him at the Taipei cathedral tomorrow morning.
Rev James Elliott, Keelong, Taiwan Thu, January-24-2013, 10:16
We great loved and respected Abp Ambrose, while he was charge d affaire here in Taipei. We were so saddened to hear of his passing. All our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. We are holding a memorial for him at our cathedral tomorrow.
Shyla Serrao, Arsikere, Karnataka Tue, December-11-2012, 11:01
Dear Fr. Henry Madtha, Shocked to hear the news. Our hearty condolences to the family members. May God give him Eternal Rest. Alice Pinto Family, Arsikere
Rosalyn Sawod, Taipie, Taiwan Tue, December-11-2012, 9:15
our warmest condolences to the family of archbishop madtha,remembering you during your time here in the nunciature in taiwan,we will never forget you as our father of the house, for the care, guidance,understanding and kindness to all of us as a staff in the nunciatre...we are very sad to hear this shocking news.rest in peace....
Sr.Jean, chikmagalur Mon, December-10-2012, 2:03
May God give him Eternal Rest.Our hearty condolences to the family members sp.Fr.Henry,Fr.Joseph,Fr.Roopesh and the sisters.-Srs St.Joseph of Tarbes,Chikmagalur.
Marian Ang, Taipei, Taiwan Sun, December-9-2012, 9:10
Our Sympathy condolences to the family of the late Archbishop Madtha...you are one of the most remembered Archbishop by the Filipino community here in St.Christophers Church- Taipei, Taiwan.May you rest in peace in our Lords kingdom.
Flaveena, Vakola Sun, December-9-2012, 9:09
Dear Sr.Therese I was shocked to hear this painful news.praying for you.
SAVITHA, MANGLORE Sun, December-9-2012, 8:57
R.I.P Archbishop..very sad to hear this shocking news
Write your Comments on this Article
Your Name
Native Place / Place of Residence
Your E-mail
Your Comment   You have characters left.
Security Validation
Enter the characters in the image above
    
Disclaimer: Kindly do not post any abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful material or SPAM. BelleVision.com reserves the right to block/ remove without notice any content received from users.
Anil Studio
Badminton Sports AcademyBadminton Sports Academy

Now open at Al Qusais

Veez Konkani IllustratedVEEZ Konkani

Weekly e-Magazine

New State Bank of India, Customer Service Point
Cool House ConstructionCool House Construction
Uzvaad FortnightlyUzvaad Fortnightly

Call : 91 9482810148

Your ad Here
Power Care
Ryan Intl Mangaluru
Ryan International
pearl printing
https://samuelsequeira.substack.com/publish
Omintec
Kittall.ComKittall.Com

Konkani Literature World

Konkanipoetry.com
Bluechem