‘Singing’ Bishop Valerian D’Souza no more

PUNE: Pune diocese’s bishop emeritus Valerian D’Souza breathed his last here on Tuesday night. He was 86.

The funeral mass will be concelebrated by Mumbai’s Cardinal and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Oswal Gracias along with Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre and other bishops at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday at 11.30 am.

Bishop D’Souza was known as a `Singing Bishop’ in the country and also abroad as he sang hymns in churches and religious ceremonies while playing the guitar. He was a priest for 58 years and a bishop for 42 years.

Bishop Valerian was born in Pune on October 3, 1933. After obtaining a BSc degree, he commenced his studies for priesthood. He studied philosophy at the Papal Seminary in the city and theology at the Jesuit-run faculty Sankt George, Frankfurt, in Germany. He was ordained a priest in Germany in 1961. He was principal of Garrison High School (now St Jude High School) Dehu Road, for seven years.

In 1971, he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese.

In 1977, he was ordained bishop of Pune diocese, which then comprised of 11 revenue districts in Maharashtra, stretching from Ratnagiri in Konkan to Nandurbar in north Maharashtra. 

The diocese had a large number of parishes, schools, hospitals, dispensaries and other institutions. 

Bishop D’Souza had earned acclaim as an able administrator and a good shepherd to his flock. Subsequently, Pune diocese was bifurcated first into Nashik diocese and later into Sindhudurg diocese.

Bishop D’Souza also served as head of various commissions of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. In 2002, he was elected as vice-president of the CBCI.

The bishop has written two books, entitled: ‘Love is the only Answer’ and ‘Shepherd’s Voice’

LIFE’S MEMORABLE EVENT
- Bishop D’Souza had played host to Pope John Paul II’s visit to Pune on February 10, 1984. 
- The Pope was pleasantly surprised when while welcoming him at the Ramwadi grounds in the city, the bishop spoke in his mother tongue, Polish.