Mumbai: A memorial Mass for Cardinal Ivan Dias at the Cathedral of the Holy Name on June 20 was attended by the staff of various offices of the Archdiocese of Bombay, its priests and the cardinal’s former secretaries.
Cardinal Dias, former archbishop of Bombay and Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, died on Jun 19 in Rome. He was 81.
Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes of Bombay led the Mass assisted by Bishop Barthol Barretto and priests of the Archdiocese. Bishop Savio shared some personal insights, as did Bishop John Rodrigues, who had also served as Cardinals Ivan’s secretary, the Archdiocesan website says.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in from around the world for Cardinal Dias.
Described by friends and colleagues as a “visionary” and a “brilliant prince,” Dias is remembered as a vocal opponent of anti-Christian discrimination.
Until last year, Cardinal Dias was a voting member of the College of Cardinals and played a role in selecting the last two pontiffs — Pope Benedict XVI and the current Pope Francis.
In a long tribute posted to Facebook, Dias’ former secretary, Father Reuben Tellis said he had the “wonderful opportunity” to serve at the Archbishop’s House for three years. “It was during that time I was able to see the humane, gentle, spiritual and strong side of him,” Father Tellis wrote.
“With his death, the Church has lost a brilliant and endearing prince. Leaders like him don’t come by so easily. He added his own touch of specialty to the Archdiocese which will be cherished by all those who understood his vision.”