Varanasi: Fr Joe (Joseph) Castelino (78), founder director of Nav-Sadhna passes away

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Varanasi, 22 Nov 2015: Fr Joe (Joseph) Castelino (78), hailing from Our Lady of Fatima parish, Pernal in newly-formed Udupi diocese, residing at Vianny Nivas, home for retired clergies, Bhojubir, here passed away on Saturday November 21. The funeral will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, here on Monday November 23 at 10.30am.

 

 

Fr Joe was born to teacher the late John Abrahm Castelino and Magdalene couple, parishioners of Pernal in erstwhile Mangaluru diocese on August 12 1937.  He joined minor seminary at Lucknow, in the diocese of Varanasi in 1956. He was ordained in Varanasi in 1966. He served as PA to Bishop Jerome Melefant from 1966 to 1971. He worked as parish priest at Beera Bunty mission station from 1971 to 1977 and pursued higher studies at Manila, Philippines from 1977 to 1980.

 

He was the founder director of Nav-Sadhna at Varanasi from 1980 to 1986, rector at Allahabad Major Seminary from 1986 to 1991, served as administrator and associate director at St John’s Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru from 1993 to 2002. He also served as director of St Mary’s Hospital, Korotha, Varanasi from 2002 to 2004, spiritual director at Massi Gurukul, Varanasi from 2005 to 2011.

 

Fr Joe celebrated his sacerdotal golden jubilee on 21 October 2015 and passed away on Saturday 21 November 2015.