By Matters India Reporter
Jharsuguda, Aug 18, 2022: Father Petrus Kullu, provincial of the Divine World Society’s Eastern Indian province, died August 18 of suspected Covid-19 infection.
The death occurred at 4:15 pm in the Covid ward of Vikash Hospital, Bargarh near Sambalpur, a major town in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, according to a message from Father Victor Rodrigues, vice provincial
Father Kullu had celebrated his 62nd birthday on August 10.
The funeral Mass is scheduled at 10 am on August 20 at St. Arnold’s Church, Jharsuguda, followed by burial service at Shanti Bhavan Cemetery, adds the vice provincial.
Father Kullu had seasonal flu since August 12 because of weather change. His companions got medicines from St. Mary’s Hospital, Jharsuguda, but the medication had little impact. He developed pneumonia that worsened his condition. After he complained of breathlessness August 16, he was admitted in St. Mary’s Hospital.
Initial tests showed he was suffering from acute pneumonia and chest congestion. As his oxygen levels dropped, he was taken Vikash Hospital. On August 17, doctors concluded that he had Covid symptoms, although test result was negative. As his lungs were infected, he was shifted to the Covid block in the same hospital.
Later reports showed he was Covid negative.
Father Kullu was the ninth member of the Eastern province to die in the past one year.
He was born on August 10, 1960, in the diocese of Rourkela in Odisha. He was elected the provincial in 2020.
He joined the Divine World Society and pronounced his first vows on June 12, 1987, and final vows on January 15, 1991. He was ordained a priest on February 13, 1992.
“He was an ardent missionary and a capable leader,” says Father Fernandes.
Divine Word Father Norbert Herman, Father Kullu’s classmate, hailed his as “a simple and great missionary.”