Mangalore: Fr Charles Saldanha passes away

By Fr Francis Rodrigues
Raknno

Mangalore, 24 October 2010: Fr Charles Saldanha (70 years), a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore expired at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday 23rd October, 2010 with a massive heart attack in a private hospital in Mangalore.  His funeral Mass will be held at 3.30 p.m. on Monday 25th October, 2010 at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia and his mortal remains will be buried in the Valencia Priests’ Cemetery.

 

 

He was born in Agrar to Peter Saldanha and Magdalene Noronha amidst a family of 6 sisters and 2 brothers.  Having joined St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu in the year 1959 was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Mangalore on 4.12.1967.

 

After priestly ordination he served the Diocese of Mangalore as Assistant Parish Priest of Shirva Parish; served as the Parish Priest of Kalathur, Nirkan, Panir and Bantwal parishes.  Being the founder Parish Priest of Kalathur built the new church building in the parish.  Has served as the Manager of the Bettadamane Estate of the Diocese and Administrator of St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary, Jeppu. He was on sick leave for the last five years from active service.

 

According to Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Diocese and his batch-mate in the Seminary, Fr Saldanha was a people oriented pastor with a generous heart towards the needy and with deep spirituality.

 

Fr Charles was a man of efforts and team work.  He served with goodwill wherever he was sent and was very hospitable to the parishioners and visitors.

 

In spite of the fact that he served without any external publicity, he was a satisfied man in life and ministry.  Man who was committed to his work and mission, was not after any type of luxuries and self glories.  An impartial man with an equal approach to rich and poor alike, big and small alike.  Was always simple in external presentations and dress. Never took to any expensive journeys.

 

He was very much appreciated for his love of nature and environmental preservations.  Was keen in planting and preserving flowers, plants and trees.

 

Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore and Vicar General Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu have condoled his death.