PANAJI
Fr Roque Caitan Noronha (55), a priest from the Pilar Society, passed away at the District Hospital in Margao on Saturday following Covid-related complications.
The final rites will be conducted at Pilar on Sunday morning amid restrictions on account of the pandemic.
Fr Noronha is the third Pilar Society priest to succumb to Covid-related complications in just over a month, following the demise of Fr Salvador Rodrigues (56), hailing from Nuvem, who passed away in Mumbai on May 2 and Fr Mario Shivaji d’ Aquino Henriques (63), hailing from Vasco, who passed away in West Bengal on May 27.
According to reports, Fr Noronha, who hailed from Mungul Grande, Margao, had arrived in the State for the funeral of his mother, but contracted Covid during his stay and was hospitalised at the District Hospital in Margao. He, however, turned critical about four days ago and passed away on Saturday.
“We have a big word of appreciation for the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who really give their all, during this Covid pandemic. We are very grateful to them,” acknowledged Fr Seby Mascarenhas, Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (Society of Pilar).
Fr Noronha joined the Pilar Society in 1985 and was ordained priest at the Mungul Chapel at Margao in 1994. During his 27 years of priesthood, Fr Noronha had worked in the dioceses of Kohima, Guwahati, Kolkatta and Shillong, besides the Regency year in Port Blair.
Describing Fr Noronha as an enthusiastic and robust missionary, the Pilar Fathers said he was innovative in his approach and compassionate in his relationships with the poor and the marginalised.
