Rev. Fr Lawrence Fernandes to Heavenly Abode

Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno

Mangalore, 24 February 2010: Rev. Fr Lawrence Fernandes (73 years), a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore for 47 years went to the heavenly abode at 2.45 a.m. on 24th of February, 2010. He died of a massive heart attack at a private hospital in Mangalore.

His mortal remains will be placed at Vincent Ferrer Church Valencia at 3 p.m. on 25th M February, 2010 for public viewing. The funeral mass will be at 4 p.m. at Valencia Church and the mortal remains will be interred at priests’ cemetery in Valencia.

He was born in Pangala - Shankerpura on 6-1-1937 as the only son of Antony Fernandes and Mary Sequeira. After his initial studies in Pangala he joined St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu as the candidate of the Diocese of Mangalore. He was ordained priest on 2-12-1962. He is the only male child in his family and a brother to his only sister Juliana Mathias.

After ordination he served Bendur, Belthangady and Valencia parishes as Assistant Pastor. Then he was sent to Rome for doctoral studies in Moral Theology. After his return from higher studies he served for 10 years as the Director of the Diocesan Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre - Mangala Jyothi (1974-1983). Later he was the Dean of the Rosario Cathedral for 7 years (1983-1990). Then he was the Parish Priest of Bantwal (1990-1995) and Jeppu (1995-2002) parishes. After that till to this date he was on the teaching staff of St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary, Mangalore. He died being in active pastoral service.

He was an intellectual, clever pastor and effective administrator. Was a friend of everyone being a person of friendly nature. Was very delicate in his approaches with people. Being a very helpful person and good spiritual guide he was very much sought by the Seminarians for their spiritual life. He was very optimistic in life and with sportive nature. He had a strong will power.

Even though one of his leg was amputated number of years ago, he was very positive in life and ministry. He accepted his sickness with a real Christian spirit. His sickness did not deter him from ministerial services.

He was admitted to the hospital on the evening of 23rd February. A third year theologian was helping him in the hospital. At 2 a.m. on 24th  he had been to the toilet. After his return, he felt difficulties in breathing. After drinking a little water from the hand of the brother he breathed his last at 2.45 a.m.

Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore, Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu,  the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore and Rev. Dr Victor Machado, the Rector of St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary Mangalore have expressed that we have lost a good priest from our Diocese and condoled his death.