Senior most priest of Mangalore diocese passes away
By Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno
Mangalore, 07 Jan 2012: Rev. Fr Casimir John Mathias, the senior most priest of the Diocese of Mangalore passed away on January 7 at 11.45 am in a private hospital in Mangalore. He was 94 years old and a priest for the last 65 years.
His funeral mass would be celebrated at St Vincent Ferrer Church in Valencia at 4 pm on January 9 and the mortal remains would be interred at priests’ cemetery in Valencia.
Born in Kinnigoli parish on November 9, 1917 as the son of Joachim Mathias and Rosa Maria Fernandes, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore on the April 7, 1947, after his priestly studies at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.
After serving as the assistant parish priest of Bantwal and Cordel parishes, he was the parish priest of Ukkinadka parish (then known as Perdala) for 6 years. Later, he served as the parish priest of Thannirbavi, Padukone, Ullal-Panir, Hospet and Palimar parishes. He had been to Thannirbavi twice as priest in-charge.
Having retired from the active priestly ministry in 1988, till date, he lived in Kankanady Vianney Home, the home for the retired priests.
According to Bishop Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Fr Casimir was satisfied with the minimum facilities in life and always remained a priest with a very positive outlook of life. Practically, he had no complaints on life, mission and facilities.
Vicar General Msgr Denis Prabhu said Fr Casimir is from a very devout family of number of priests and nuns. He was a good pastor and hard working priest. Being a docile and obedient priest, he was ready to serve in any remote parishes as per the will of the superiors. He was willing to take up any mission entrusted to him. His elder brother Fr Apoline Mathias too was a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore.
One of his nieces is a Bethany nun for the last 70 or more years and still serving in Calicut. It is said that number of priests and religious have emerged from his family.