Udupi: The Rajya Sabha member, a former minister in the UPA Union government, Senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes’s mortal remains were brought to Udupi on Tuesday, September 14.
The mortal remains were brought to Mother of Sorrows Church, Oscar’s native parish, which was received by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and the priests of the diocese. At the outset, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Minister of State government, various political leaders, Kurma Rao M., deputy commissioner of Udupi district, Vishnuvardhan N Superintendent of Police, Udupi district CEO of Zilla Panchayat Dr. Naveen Bhat Y and other officials of the government paid their last respects at the entrance of the church.
Later, the funeral mass was concelebrated by Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Very Rev Fr. Charles Menezes, Vicar and parish priest of Mother of Sorrow Church, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Very Rev Fr. Alban D’souza Rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur, Karkala and other priests.
In his homage, Fr. Valerian Mendonca said that Oscar Fernandes, a native of Udupi rendered selfless service for the society and common people who were not with us and left for the heavenly abode. The tragedy of life is not that we die but being alive and seeing a noble person like Oscar who used his talents gifted by God almighty. In the line with the example set by Jesus, Oscar used God-given talents to the service of the society and we pray to God to accept him in His heavenly abode. God provided us with a good leader with multiple talents along with politics. May God provide him eternal rest and taking his example may many more leaders come forward and serve the society, Fr Valerian said.
In the end, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo conducted the final rites and also paid the last respect. Meanwhile, on behalf of parishioners Fr. Charles Menezes, parish priest, Boniface D’souza Vice president of parish pastoral council, Mary D’souza president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh paid their last respect.
Vinay Kumar Sorake former minister, thanked everyone at the end of the final prayers. Very Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa compered the ritual ceremony. MLA U.T. Khadar, former MLA J R Lobo, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, MLC and former Chairman of the legislative council Pratapchandra Shetty, AICC Secretary and former MLC Ivan D’souza, President of Udupi district Congress Committee Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, KPCC secretary M A Gafoor and other leaders were present during the final rites at the church and the mass.
The mortal remains after being taken to his ancestor home at Ajjarkad and there prayer services held which were conducted by Fr. Fredrick D’Souza, Parish Priest of Manipal Church.
