Bareilly's Bishop emeritus Anthony Fernandes passes away

Udupi / Bareilly (UP): Bishop emeritus Anthony Fernandes passed away on Friday, February 3. He was 86.

A press release said that the Bishop had suffered a blood clot in the brain and multiple organ failures.

The bishop was born on July 6, 1936, in Kalathur in Udupi to David and Bridgit Fernandes. Among the three siblings, he is the eldest one. After his high school studies at Don Bosco School, Shriva, diocese of Udupi, he joined the diocese of Varanasi.

He had his initial formation at St Paul’s Minor Seminary, in Lucknow. He completed his Philosophical and Theological studies at St Joseph’s Regional Seminary in Allahabad. He was ordained to the priesthood during the Eucharistic Congress held in Mumbai on December 2, 1964.

The twenty-six years of his priestly ministry in Varanasi and Gorakhpur speak for itself the various activities in all areas of pastoral concerns. While serving as vicar general of Varanasi, he was appointed the first bishop of Bareilly on January 19, 1989. His ordination as bishop followed on March 29, 1989, at St Alphonsus Cathedral, Bareilly.

The mortal remains of Bishop Anthony Fernandes were brought to St Alphonsus Cathedral, Bareilly on February 3 at 6 pm. Requiem Mass for his repose shall be held on February 6 at 11 am. Thereafter, he will be laid to rest in the Clergy Cemetery at Harunagla, the press release added.