Fr Archibald Albuquerque of Mangalore Diocese expired

By Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 20 Aug 2014:Fr Archibald Albuquerque  (mostly known as Fr Archie) who is a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore passed away on Wednesday August 20th 2014 in the morning in St Roque Church, Neerude, because of massive heart attack.  He was 61 years old and a priest for the last 33 years and at present he was the parish priest of St Roque Church, Neerude.
Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza and V. Rev. Msgr Denis Prabhu the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore have condoled his death. 

 

He was born at Derebail Parish on 15th  of August 1953. After having joined St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore and after the priestly studies, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore on the 22nd  of April 1981.

He was the Assistant Parish Priest of Karkal Town and Bejai Parishes after the ordination for 4 years. He was the pairsh priest of Borimar for 7 years, of Basrur for 6 years, of Nirkan for 7 years, of Manjeshwar for 1 year, of Badyar for 7 years, of Nakre for one year and of Neerude for 1 plus years.

Fr Archie was born in a devout family of 6 children – 4 brothers and 2 sisters.  Fr Archie is a twin brother of Mr Richard.  Two of his twin sisters are Bethany Nuns – Sr Immaculate B.S. is working in Batinda in Punjab; and Sr Marylytte B.S. is working in Kulshekar.

Fr Archie built the new church of Basrur as the earlier church was too small.  He built a huge high school building at Nirkan church campus together with a hall in it.  He also renovated the sacristy in Nirkan.  He renovated the parochial house together with a mini hall in Badyar. He improved rubber cultivation and brought in income to the church.  He built a portico in Borimar church.  Presently he was doing the renovation work of Neerude parochial house. 

According to Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu he was a priest with zeal and enthusiasm. Whenever he was appointed to different parishes he never asked that he should be sent to particular parishes only.  ‘The service of the people is service of God’ was his philosophy . 

According to  Fr Xavier Pinto, a close friend of Fr Archie and the present Rector of St Antony Shrine, Kerekatte Fr Archie is  a simple priest with a simple way of life, committed to his work.  He was a good company in the gathering of priests  with lots of wit and jokes.  He was present for the shrine festival this June as well.

Fr Archie expired at 4.30 a.m. in the parochial house of Neerude with massive heart attack.  He died in the hands of his cook, friend and faithful servant  Michael Thoras for the last 23 years.

His funeral Mass would be celebrated at St Roque Church, Neerude at 10.00 a.m. on Friday 22nd of August 2014 and the mortal remains would be interred at Neerude church cemetery