Untimely Death of 2 Priests With Strong Connection With Belgaum Diocese

By Louis Rodrigues –

Belagavi: Untimely death of two priests having strong connection to the Diocese of Belagavi Rev Fr Arun D’souza (32) and Rev Fr Daniel Alphonso (58), who died on Sunday, has shaken the Catholics in Belagavi and Goa region. Rev Fr Arun D’souza originally hailing from Kakkeri in Khanapur taluk died of a brief illness at a private hospital in Goa, while Fr Daniel Alphonso who has served in Kakkeri village a few years ago, succumbed in a tragic accident near Valpoi in north Goa on Sunday.

Fr Arun who was ordained priest a couple of years ago belonged to Montfort Fathers congregation and was serving at Camurlim parish as a parish priest in Bardez, Goa while Fr Daniel Alphonso, MSFS, was serving as the parish priest at Valpoi,Goa.
On Sunday, while riding a motor cycle Fr Daniel was hit by a speeding truck. His funeral will be held at St Thomas Church, Aldona, Goa his native, on Wednesday, March 18.

Fr Arun is the nephew of Rev Fr Cajetan D’souza, the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church here and is survived by his parents, a brother and three sisters. Two of his aunts are Catholic nuns who are rendering yeoman humanitarian services.

The funeral services of Fr Arun will be held at Kakkeri on Tuesday, March 17 at 4 pm at St Anthony’s Church, Kakkeri, followed by funeral. Large number of priests, nuns from Belagavi and Goa are expected to attend the funeral services. Bishop of Belgaum Rev Dr Derek Fernandes who has expressed immense grief on the untimely demise of both the priests will be presiding over the funeral services, a visibly shocked Fr Cajetan told ICM.