ASIA/INDIA - Exemplary Catholic father dies at 102 after bringing up a family of 13 and giving the Church two bishops, two priests and two women religious

Mangalore (Fides Service) - Mr Emmanuel D’Souza, Catholic lay man very active in his local church in the diocese of Mangalore, Karnataka died recently at the age of 102. Besides being a family man and a teacher, Emmanuel served the church and the poor wholeheartedly taking inspiration from St Vincent de Paul. He and his wife educated the family in the Christian faith and values and six of their 13 children responded to a religious calling: two of the sons are bishops, two are priests and two of the daughters are nuns.
The bishops are Bishop Albert D’Souza of Lucnow, and Bishop Alphonse D’Souza, of Raiganj; the priests are Father Mathew and Father Edward, both on mission in North America; the women religious, Sr. Lucia and Sr. Eugenia are in mission in Nagpur, Maharashtra state. Emmanuel will be remembered by family and friends for his authentic witness as a follower of Christ, his strong faith and devotion and tireless love of the poor.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2004 lines 15 words 156)