Ranchi: Father Louis Francken, a Jesuit missionary from Belgium who worked hard to educate poor tribal people in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, died October 5 in Ranchi. He was 82.

“With great sadness we inform you that Father Louis Francken, S.J. breathed his last at 11:00 pm on 5th Oct. 2020 in Constant Lievens Hospital and Research Centre, Mandar,” says a message from Father Raymond Kerketta, socius (secretary) to the Ranchi Jesuit province.

Mandar is some 25 km west of Ranchi, the state capital.

Father Kerketta’s message to Jesuits in the province says the burial is scheduled at 2:30 pm October 6 in Kishor Nagar, Namkum, some 10 km southeast of Ranchi.

“As we have to follow the protocol of Covid-19, only a few Jesuits will attend the Holy Mass and the burial ceremony,” the October 6 message adds.

Father Francken who taught economics at Ranchi’s St Xavier’s College for several years and served as its principal from 1982 to 1986.

He also served as the director of the Xavier Institute of Social Sciences set up as part of the Jharkhand state’s efforts to bring higher education to the people of the state.

He also served as the director of Kishor Nagar, a social service center.

Father Francken was born on July 28, 1938, at Wuustwezel in Belgium. He joined the Jesuits in 1957 and came to India in 1964. He was ordained priest in 1970.

A graduate from Delhi School of Economics, Father Francken taught economic at St Xavier’s College before moving to XISS as director. He was well known to provide opportunity in academics to weaker sections of society.

4 Comments

  1. He was an excellent teacher and very friendly and helpful to the students. I had the privilege as his student at XISS.
    God bless his noble soul.
    Pradip Choudhuri

  2. Respectful farewell to Father Louis Francken. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.

  3. a great personality who improved so many young lives dr reshma shafi

  4. Extremely saddened to hear of the sad demise of Rev Father Louis Francken. A humble, soft spoken Jesuit priest who lived a v simple life, was a good n v caring teacher n a wonderful human being, he will be much missed.

    Fr Francken would have a ready smile for everyone whom he met. He was immensely approachable. All his students remember him with great love n regard.

    May Fr Francken’s soul find final repose in the Lord.

Comments are closed.