Bellary Catholics Bid Tearful Farewell To Young Fr Paul Arulappa



BELLARY, MARCH 11, 2019: A large gathering of Catholics, including Bishop Henry D'Souza, all the priests of the diocese, religious and lay faithful bid a tearful farewell to the young pastor Fr. Paul today in the cathedral church.

Fr. Paul A, a priest of the Diocese of Bellary died in a tragic road accident leasterday eveing. He was hit by a speeding motor bike at about 6.48 PM while talking an evening walk along with two other priests.

The tragic incident happened near Panduraga Camp, a Kilometer away from Harapur church, in Sidhanur Taluk, Raichur district.

Fr. Paul sustained head injury and was rushed to a hospital in Sindhanur town by Frs. Anil Kumar and Jose Prakash.

There the doctor declared his dead.

Immediately Bishop Henry D'Souza was informed by Fr. Mariswamy, pastor of Sindhanur. Frs. Paulraj, vicar general and Fr. O. Vincent, Sindhanur dean, rushed to the hospital.

The mortal remains were brought from Sindhanur to Jawalgera by Ambulance in the same evening and kept in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Everybody in the village was praying and waiting in the church premises. With great sorrow and reverence the mortal remains of Fr. Paul was received at Jawelgera. It was a moving experience.

On Monday, the 11 March, Fr. Paulraj along with priests from Raichur district concelebrated oly Eucharist at 9.00 a.m at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Right after by 11.15 a.m. the mortal remains was taken to Bellary and kept in St. Anthony's Cathedral Church. People turned up in large numbers to pay their last respects.

Bishop Henry D'Souza, along with priests of the diocese concelebrated at the Funeral Mass at 3.00 PM at St. Antony's Cathedral, Bellary.

Fr. Paulraj paid tribute and the brother of the departed priest, Fr. Bernard, a Claretian, gave vote of thanks.

Bishop Henry D'Souza, Fr. Bernard, Sr. Teresa Peter fs, Fr. Ivan Pinto, Fr. Balaraj and Bellary Member of Parliament Sri Ugrappa garlanded the coffin.

Thereafter the mortal remains of Fr. Paul A. were taken to Gadenahalli of Hassan District, the native place Fr. Paul A, where the last rites and funeral will take place at 10.30 a.m at St. Ignatius Church.

Fr. Paul was born on 26 April 1984 to Sri Arulappa and Ms. Bridget in Gadenahalli, Hassan District.

He did his primary and High School studies in St. Ignatius High School, Gadenahalli.

There after he joined Minor Seminary Dheeksha Bhavan, Bellary, in the year 2000.

He did his PUC studies at St. John's PU College, Fort, Bellary and Under Graduate degree in Arts at Veerashaiva College, Bellary.

After completion of his Minor seminary, he joined St Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, for his priestly formation in 2005.

He did his regency at Maski Parish in the year 2007-08.

After completion of his Major Seminary studies he did his deaconal ministry in December 2011- May 2012 at Manvi Parish.

He was ordained priest by Bishop Henry D'Souza, 14 May, 2012 at St. Ignatius Church, Gadanahalli.

Fr. Paul was an energetic and active priest.

During his term of office Fr. Joachim School building was built.

He started renovation of the Jawalgera church and the village chapels.

His gift of preaching and reflections were much appreciated.

He served as Assistant Parish Priest of Cantonment, Bellary in 2012-13 and Kowtal in 2013-14. In 2014 he was appointed Parish Priest of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jawalgera, where he served till his death on 10 March 2019. The call of the Lord came to Fr. Paul A quite suddenly and shockingly. May his soul rest in peace!