Katipalla: Rev. Fr Valerian Lewis (55), parish priest of Infant Mary Church, Katipalla, Mangalore passed away on the evening of Sunday, November 21 due to cardiac arrest.
Fr Lewis during the procession of Confraternity Sunday fell ill in the church and was immediately rushed to a private hospital for treatment. Unfortunately he did not respond to treatment and breathed his last.
Rev. Fr Valerian Lewis was born in Puttur in 1966 to Antony Lewis and Catherine Lewis (nee Lobo). He was ordained priest in 1995 and was known for his soft-spoken nature and excellent administrative skills.
He served as assistant parish priest in Barkur during 1995-96 and Vamanjoor during 1998-2000. He was assistant director in Jeppu parish from 1996 to 1998. Later on he was promoted to parish priest and served in Kokkada (2000-2007), Sullia (2007-2012) and Manjeshwar (2012-2019). The which new Manjeshwar church was built during his tenure. He has been serving as parish priest of Katipalla since 2019.
The Funeral Mass and Burial Rites will be held on Tuesday, 23 November 2021, at 10.00 a.m. at Infant Mary's Church, Katipalla.