Bishop of Mangalore visits the families of air crash victims in Moodubelle

Report and pictures by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 29 May 2010: With a view to show the solidarity with the grieving families of the victims of the Air India express IX-812 that crashed at the Bajpe airport on Saturday, 22 May 2010, the Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza made it a point to visit each and every family of the victims in the diocese. On Saturday, 29 May 2010, in the afternoon, he visited two such bereaved families in Moodubelle-the family of late Cavin Sequeira and late Ignatius D’Souza.

Accompanied by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, parish priest of Moodubelle, Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza paid a visit to late Cavin’s family at Marne at around 2.30 pm. As late Cavin’s pa Seven Day Requiem Mass on Friday, 28 May 2010, the Bishop was received by Cavin’s grandmother, Mrs. Isabella Sequeira and his two uncles who are based in Marne-Alwyn and Rony and his cousin Loyal. Mrs. Gladys rebello, teh Gurkarn of St. John Baptist II Ward was also present. The Bishop spent some time with the family consoling them at the terrible loss of Cavin and praying for his soul.

Thereafter, at around 3 pm the Bishop went to the residence of the mother and brothers of Ignatius D’Souza at Manibettu, who was also the victim of the air tragedy at Bajpe on last Saturday. The grieving mother of Ignatius,  Mrs. Florine D’Souza and other family members received Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza. Cyril D’Souza, Gurkar of St. Paul I Ward was also present. After consoling the mother, the Bishop offered prayers for the eternal rest of the soul of late Ignatius. As it has been reported, the body of Ignatius is yet to be identified with the help of the DNA test.

The brother of late Ignatius, Victor had gone to Mangalore with the hope that the family might get the possession of the mortal remains of his brother. However, the family received the information that the DNA report of Ignatius is yet to arrive. Hence,  the family has to wait for some more days before they could have a proper funeral for Ignatius. The wife and children of Ignatius are at Shaktinagar, Mangalore, where the funeral will be held once the body is finally identified.

Leaving the house of Mrs. Florine after handing over her a book of prayer, the Bishop left for Shankerpura to offer sympathies  and console Vincent Lobo who had lost his wife-Flavia, daughter- Venishia and son-Vishal in the same air crash.

The visit of Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza would go a long way in consoling the bereaved families who had lost their dear and near ones in the terrible air tragedy on Saturday, 22 May 2010.