THE FINAL FAREWELL
Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar (84) S.D.B Archbishop Emeritus of Calcutta passed away on Sunday. 18 April, 2021 at 1pm at Aradhana Mandir. Krishnagar. West Bengal due to cardiac arrest. His funeral took place at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer at Krishnagar on Tuesday 20 April. 2021 at 10. am Archbishop Lucas was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calcutta from 2002 to 2012 and the Bishop of Krishnagar from 1984 to 2000 He was born on 24 September 1936 at Barisol in Bangladesh. He pined the congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco and ordained priest on 20 April 1968. At the age of 47 he was appointed as the seventh Bishop of Krishnagar diocese in West Bengal on 22 June 1984 and ordained Bishop on 22 September 1904. His Holiness Pope St. John Paul Second appointed him as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Calcutta on 14 April 2000. At the age of 65 he succeeded Most Rev. Henry Sebastian D'Souza and became the Archbishop of Calcutta on 2 April 2002. On 23 February 2012. Pope Benedict XVI accepted Archbishop Sirkar's request for resignation, citing advanced age. On retirement. Archbishop Sirkar spent several years as a priest and member of the Salesian community of Bandel Basilica ministering to pilgrims at historical Marian shrine of Our Lady of Happy Voyage. Archbishop Sirkar founded two congregations Adoration Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Adoration Brothers of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. St Mother Teresa of Kolkata once asked Bishop Sirkar to have religious engaged in Eucharistic adoration in each parish. The two congregations are his answer to her request. Archbishop Sirkar never came on the way of creative ministries. He was supportive. He was well grounded at the grassroots. He loved the poor, the downtrodden and those most marginalized in our society He is priest for 52 years and bishop for 36 years .The funeral service started at 10 am in the Cathedral of Krishnagar Diocese on 20th April 2021. Bishops present were: Bishop Syamol Bose of Baruipur. Fulgens Tigga of Raiganj, Salvador Lobo Apostolic Adm of Asansol. Bishop Emeritus Joseph Comes of Krishnagar. His Grace Archbishop Thomas D'Souza Apostolic Adm of diocese of Krishnagar officiated the funeral services. There were prints from all the Parishes of the diocese of Krishnagar Fr Moly D'Costa represented the clergy of Kolkata Archdiocese. Before the Eucharistic celebration began there was laying of wreaths by the main celebrant Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, followed Bishops, Priests, representative, Sisters congregations In the diocese, the laity etc..
Rich tributes to the late Archbishop were given by the Apostolic Adm. Archbishop Thomas D'souza and others Archbishop Thomas read out the condolence messages from Secretary of Evangelization of Peoples, Home and from the Apostolic Nunciature, New Delhi. It was followed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria SDB the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The life sketch of Bishop Lucas was given by Sr. Martina. Adoration Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary founded by Bishop Lucas, and others : Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI, Sisters of Charity etc... The Funeral oration was delivered by Emeritus Bishop Joseph Comes SUN of Krishnagar Diocese. lie highlighted the great missionary spirit of late Bishop Lucas Sircar and his simplicity of life. Bishop Lucas was a great Missionary.
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