Adios To Rev. Fr. Albert Saleema
Adios To Rev. Fr. Albert Saleema
“Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended.”
(Preface for Christian Death]
OBITUARY
Rev. Fr. Albert Saleema
Born: 02.06.1946
Ordained: 04.01.1972
Expired: 18.11.2015
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,
With profound grief, I heard the sad news of the death of our beloved Rev. Fr. Albert Saleema who died on Wednesday, 18.11.2015 at 6.40 p.m. at St. Philomena’s Hospital, Bengaluru. As you are aware, at present, I am attending the General Body Meeting of the Pontifical Council for Health Care in Rome; and, hence, I am sending this Circular from here.
Fr. Saleema was born on 2nd June, 1946 at Maina, Goa and was baptized at St. Rita’s Church, Maina Curtorium, Goa on 10.06.1946. His Parents were the late Mr. Cludius Saleema and the late Mrs. Matilda Saleema who were blessed with seven children: four boys and three girls, among whom two are religious sisters. He was the 3rd child in the family. He did his schooling at St. Joseph’s, K.G.F.; St. Patrick’s and St. Germain’s High Schools, Bangalore and completed his Senior Cambridge Course. Discerning the call of God and, with the encouragement and support of his parents, he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Bangalore and later completed his Philosophy and Theology Studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary. He was ordained a Priest on 4th January, 1972 at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Bangalore by the late Bishop Mathias Fernandes, the then Bishop of Mysore.
He served the Archdiocese for 43 years at the following places:
| Date | Parish / Institution | Designation |
| July, 1972 | Our Lady of Victories Church Champion Reefs – K.G.F. | Asst. Parish Priest |
| 03.07.1973 | St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Cleveland Town | Asst. Parish Priest |
| 07.05. 1976 | St. Rita’s Church, Kunigal |
Parish Priest23.05.1978Archbishop’s HouseSecretary
& ChancellorJuly 1987St. Anne’s Church, MarathahalliParish PriestJune 1994St. Mary’s Orphanage
Da Costa LayoutDirectorJune 2001St. Patrick’s Church,
Brigade RoadSocius18.06.2011St. Michael’s Church,
ShanthinagarSocius
Rev. Fr. Saleema was a dedicated and committed priest of the Archdiocese. Everyone was aware that he was a soft spoken, zealous and obedient priest of God. Perhaps many of us are not aware that he was a good musician and inspirational preacher that made him popular among the faithful and won him their accolades. People always appreciated him for his short and inspirational homilies, and his availability for confessions and administering the sacraments. He accepted all his appointments cheerfully and respectfully with a view to working for the salvation of souls wherever he was sent.
He took keen interest in learning the languages for the spiritual and temporal formation of the flock entrusted to his care. We also know that he had a special love for the workers and less fortunate children and youth. Some of his beneficiaries are doing well in society today, and they owe him a lot for his guidance and timely help.
Just recently Fr. Saleema was diagnosed with abdominal cancer. As it was in its advanced stage, the doctors could not help him much, and he too was aware of his health condition and was well prepared to meet with the Lord.
On 15th November, prior to my departure to Rome, I visited him in the hospital and administered the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
This morning (19th November), I celebrated the Holy Mass with Pope Francis at St. Martha’s Chapel and prayed for the repose of his soul, and for all his dear ones and for all of you as well.
Needless to mention, Fr. Saleema’s death is a great loss to us, and we lost yet another dedicated and holy priest of the Archdiocese. Let us continue to pray for the repose of his soul in gratitude to God for all the services that he had rendered to all of us in the Archdiocese.
On behalf of all the Priests, Religious and the Faithful, I express my heartfelt sympathies to the brothers and sisters, relatives and friends of the late Fr. Saleema. May the Lord grant them the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.
The mortal remains of Fr. Saleema will be brought from St. John’s Medical College Mortuary on Friday, 20th November at 9.30 a.m. and will be kept for the public to pay their last respects.
The Funeral Mass and Burial Service will be conducted at Sacred Heart’s Church and the Priests’ Cemetery, Richmond Road, Bengaluru at 10.30 a.m.
I have requested Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto to offer the Funeral Mass along with the Vicars General, Priests, Religious and the Faithful of the Archdiocese.
All the Priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer 3 Masses for the repose of the soul of Rev. Fr. Saleema
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord; and let perpetual
Light shine upon him. And may his soul rest in peace.
+ Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore