Bengaluru: Archbishop Emeritus Alphonsus Mathias of Bengaluru Archdiocese died on Wednesday due to age-related ailments at a private hospital here in Bengaluru, Bengaluru Archdiocese officials said.
Officials said Mathias was 96 years old.
He also said that the last rites will be performed on July 11.
The Archbishop Emeritus was born on June 22, 1928 in Pangala village in South Canara district of Karnataka.
He was the fourth child of Diego Mathias and Philomena D'Souza.
His journey into priesthood began in June 1945 when he joined St. Joseph's Seminary in Jeppu, Mangaluru.
He was ordained a priest in Kandy on August 24, 1954. Father Alphonsus celebrated his first Holy Mass at Pangala Church, returning to his native village later that year.
Bishop Alphonsus was appointed as the Archbishop of Bangalore on 12 September 1986 and took charge as Metropolitan Archbishop on 3 December 1986.
Archbishop Alphonsus decided to resign in 1998, six years before the customary retirement age.
"His passing on July 10, 2024 marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the lives he touched and the Church he served so faithfully," the Bengaluru Archdiocese said in a statement. Served."
Officials said Mathias was 96 years old.
He also said that the last rites will be performed on July 11.
The Archbishop Emeritus was born on June 22, 1928 in Pangala village in South Canara district of Karnataka.
He was the fourth child of Diego Mathias and Philomena D'Souza.
His journey into priesthood began in June 1945 when he joined St. Joseph's Seminary in Jeppu, Mangaluru.
He was ordained a priest in Kandy on August 24, 1954. Father Alphonsus celebrated his first Holy Mass at Pangala Church, returning to his native village later that year.
Bishop Alphonsus was appointed as the Archbishop of Bangalore on 12 September 1986 and took charge as Metropolitan Archbishop on 3 December 1986.
Archbishop Alphonsus decided to resign in 1998, six years before the customary retirement age.
"His passing on July 10, 2024 marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the lives he touched and the Church he served so faithfully," the Bengaluru Archdiocese said in a statement. Served."
