Mangaluru: A well-known priest, former professor, and head of the chair of Christianity, at Mangalore University, Fr John Fernandes (85) passed away on Saturday July 3.
He was born in Udyavar, India, on March 7, 1936, to Jerome and Angeline Fernandes.
In Pune and Innsbruck, Austria, Fr Fernandes studied philosophy and theology.
He holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Trier in Germany, as well as a Licentiate in Philosophy from the University of Pune. On March 30, 1963, he was ordained at Innsbruck and Trier, Germany.
His pastoral service included a term as the director of the Mangala Jyothi, the Diocesan Biblical Liturgical and Catechetical Centre, as a priest of the Mangalore diocese.
He had previously worked as an assistant parish priest at Bejai and Rosario Cathedral, as well as a co-pastor at Urwa, where he taught seminarians, and as a parish priest at Hosabettu, Katapady, and Belman. He also worked as a resident priest at the Pastoral Institute as a lecturer at St Joseph’s Seminary.
He founded the Catholic Priests Conference of India and served as its first president (CPCI). He has written books and articles in English, German, Kannada, and Konkani, among other languages.
Fr Fernandes published an autobiography called ‘Unbeaten Path’ a few years ago.
He was staying at the senior priests’ house at St Antony’s Charity Institute after his retirement.
