By Matters India Reporter
Indore: Bishop Basil Bhuriya of Jabhua, Madhya Pradesh, died May 6 due to cardiac arrest at St. Francis Hospital, Indore. He was undergoing Covid treatment. He was 65.
Bishop Basil Bhuriya is the second Indian Catholic prelate to die of Covid 19. Earlier Archbishop Emeritus Antony Anandarayar of Pondicherry-Cuddalore died on May 4.
Bishop Basil was born on March 8, 1956, in Panchkui, diocese of Jhabua. He joined St. Thomas Seminary, Dhow, on in 1969. He did his college studies at the University of Indore from 1976 to 1979 where he obtained BA degree. He joined the Society of the Divine Word in 1979 as a novice. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum of Pune. He made his final vows in 1985, and was ordained a priest on May 2, 1986.
Since his priestly ordination, Father Bhuriya held the following ministries and offices: Assistant Pastor in Muvalia, Gujarat, Diocese of Baroda (1987-1988); Vice-Rector of St. Thomas’ Seminary, Diocese of Indore (1988-1992); Rector of St. Thomas Seminary, Indore (1992-1997); Parish Priest at Dhar, Diocese of Indore (1997-2002); Director of Hostel, Thandla, Diocese of Jhabua (2002-2005); Parish Priest at Raigarh, Diocese of Jhabua (2005-2009). Since 2009, he is Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Thandla, Jhabua; and since 2011, Member of the Provincial Council of the Central Indian Province of the Society of the Divine Word.
Pope Francis appointed him the third bishop of Jabhua on July 18, 2015. He was a priest for 35 years and a bishop for 5 years.
His Funereal will take place at 10 am on May 7, at Annunciation Cathedral, Meghnagar, Jabhua.