Most Rev. S. Edward Francis, the first and founder bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Sivaganga died here on Tuesday.
The 86-year-old emeritus bishop died in peace around 9. 20 a.m. at the Bishop’s house here. The death was natural and due to old age, Most Rev. J. Soosaimanickam, Bishop of Sivaganga, said.
The funeral mass would take place at St. Justin’s Higher Secondary School campus at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, after which, the mortal remains would be taken in a procession and laid to rest on the campus of St. Alangara Annai Cathedral, he said.
Bishops, priests, nuns and hundreds of Christians offered prayers for his soul to rest in peace as the body of Rev. Francis was laid in state at Bishop’s house for public homage.
Rev. Francis who was ordained as the Bishop of Sivaganga diocese on August 30, 1987, had served as bishop for 18 years before retiring in 2005.
He was living in the Bishop’s house when the end came.
Hailing from Vellalankulam in Tirunelveli district, Rev. Francis had his school education in St. Xavier’s High School in Palayamkottai, the Minor seminary at St. Peter’s seminary at K. Pudur, Madurai and Philosophy and Theology at St. Paul’s seminary at Tiruchi (1950-57).
He did his Licentiate Catehetical studies at ‘Institut Catholique de Paris, France’ (1965-67). Rev. Francis began his spiritual career after he was ordained as the Assistant Parish Priest in Puliyal, a small village in the district in 1957.
He had served as General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC), commission for sacred liturgy (1985-87) and Chairman of TNBC commission for Bible (1987-2005).
He called on St. Pope John Paul-II at Vatican in 2000.