By Purushottam Nayak
Suruda, May 25, 2026: The Catholic Church in Odisha is mourning the death of Father Anselm Francis Biswal, a veteran priest whose six decades of ministry left a lasting imprint on the faithful and society at large.
He died May 22, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of humility, prayer, and service that continues to inspire thousands.
“We are not only saying goodbye to a Catholic priest at his death, but also to a loving father, a grass root missionary, a compassionate consoler, a wise mentor, a dedicated social worker, and a gifted writer whose life touched countless hearts,” said Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, who led the funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Suruda.
More than 50 priests, 25 nuns, and about 500 faithful joined Bishops Aplinar Senapati of Rayagada and Rabindra Ranasingh of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in concelebrating the liturgy in that town in Ganjam district, southern Odisha, located about 200 kilometers southwest of Bhubaneswar, the state capital.
A mission that lives beyond death
Archbishop Barwa reminded mourners that “the life of a priest never comes to an end with death,” emphasizing that Father Biswal’s mission, sacrifices, and spiritual influence endure.
“Though his earthly life ends, the values he preached, the people he guided, the prayers he offered, and the lives he touched remain alive in the hearts of the faithful,” he said.
Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur, a former student of Father Biswal, expressed gratitude to the priest’s family.
“Your family’s generous offering of your son/brother to the service of God and His Church became a blessing to countless people,” he said. “The life and ministry of the departed priest will continue to remain alive in the hearts of the faithful forever.”
Life of service and scholarship
Born November 6, 1935, in Dantolingi, Father Biswal was baptized there just days later. He completed his matriculation in 1953 and earned degrees in arts from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore.
Responding to God’s call, he entered the Minor Seminary at Bhanjanagar, studied philosophy at St. Albert College in Ranchi, and theology at Papal Seminary in Pune, where he was ordained a deacon in March 1962 and a priest on October 2, 1962.
For more than 60 years, he served in parishes and seminaries across Odisha, including Puri, Balasore, Cuttack, Berhampur, Raikia, Khordha Road, Bamunigam, Sambalpur, and Padanpur.
His roles ranged from chaplain and parish priest to school manager, social center director, and seminary formator. In each assignment, colleagues recall his humility, zeal, and pastoral dedication.
Patriarch and writer
Father Biswal was regarded as a patriarchal figure among Odisha’s clergy.
He authored The Little Mustard Seed, The Catholic Mission in the Soul of South Odisha 1850-1922, a book chronicling the spread of Christianity in Ganjam and Phulbani districts.
“From which we come to know the spread of Christianity in the districts of Ganjam and Phulbani,” said Pradeep Kumar Nayak, a retired principal.
His family members also testified to his character. “By serving him for the last 6 years I learnt he was a man of prayer, sincerity, commitment and dedication,” said Minarani Joseph, his nephew-in-law.
Legacy of faith and compassion
Father Biswal’s death has left a void in Odisha’s Catholic community, but his influence endures. “Though he has departed from this earthly life, his legacy of faith, love, and selfless service will continue to live on in the hearts of the people forever,” Archbishop Barwa said.
As the Church in Odisha bids farewell, it celebrates a priest whose life embodied devotion, scholarship, and compassion — a shepherd who guided generations and whose indomitable spirit, as colleagues affirmed, will live forever.
(Photo supplied)