Adios to Rev. Fr. Abraham Giriraju
To All the Priests, Religious & Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bangalore
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,
Adios to Rev. Fr. Abraham Giriraju
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth (Eccl. 7:1).
OBITUARY
Rev. Fr. Abraham Giriraju
Born : 11.03.1965
Ordained : 04.05.1993
Expired : 30.05.2017
It is with deep grief, I inform you the sad demise of our beloved Rev. Fr. Abraham Giriraju of our Archdiocese who died at 05.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 30th May at Santhosh Hospital, Bengaluru, with Sepsis with Acute Renal Failure and Uncontrolled Diabetes.
Fr. Abraham Giriraju was born on 11th March, 1965 at Halasuru, Bangalore. His parents were the late Mr. K. Raju and the late Cathrine Raju who had five children, 3 Boys and 2 Girls; and Fr. Giri was their 2nd child.
After completing his school studies in St. Patrick’s High School, Bangalore, Fr. Giri decided to become a priest in 1982 and was sent to Mysore to do his initial formation course. Then, he pursued his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained a Priest on 04.05.1992 at St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, by His Grace The Most Rev. Alphonsus Mathias.
After a few years of pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese, he joined the Staff of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary. From there he was sent to Rome to do his Licentiate in Theology in the Lateran University. He also obtained his Master’s Degrees in Sociology from Annamalai University, and in Philosophy from St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary. Fr. Giri was appointed as the Vice-Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary in 2006 and was again reappointed to this post in 2009. After teaching a few years in St. Peter’s Seminary, he was again sent to Rome in 2011 to do his Doctorate in Theology which he had completed successfully in 2014.
He served the Archdiocese for 24 years at the following places:
| 1. | 07.06.1993 | Asst. Parish Priest | St. Joseph’s Church
Briand Square
|
| 2. | 01.06.1994 | Asst. Parish Priest | S.F.X. Cathedral
Cleveland Town
|
| 3. | 31.05.1997 | Asst. Parish Priest | Infant Jesus Shrine
Viveknagar
|
| 4. | 10.06.1998 | Parish Priest | Ss. Peter & Paul Church
Rayapuram
|
| 5. | 01.06.2000 | Staff Member | St. Peter’s Pont. Sem.
Malleswaram
|
| 6. | 01.09.2004 | Studies | Rome
|
| 7. | 07.09.2006 | Staff Member | St. Peter’s Pont. Sem.
Malleswaram
|
| 8. | 17.06.2006 | Secretary | Arch. Dio. Formation Comm.
|
| 9. | 08.09.2006 | Vice Rector | St. Peter’s Pont. Sem.
Malleswaram
|
| 10. | SEPT. 2009 | Vice Rector
Re-appointed |
St. Peter’s Pont. Sem.
Malleswaram
|
| 11. | OCT. 2011 | Doctoral Studies
|
Rome |
| 12. | From Jan. 2014 | Professor & Director
Registrar
|
– Pastoral Studies –
St. Peter’s Pont. Sem. – St. Peter’s Pont. Institute
|
Everyone in the Archdiocese knows that Fr. Abraham Giri Raju was a very simple and humble priest who never exhibited his talents and gifts to gain name and fame, popularity and publicity. He had a special love for the needy and the poor, and reached out God’s love to them by helping them whatever little help he could give them. He was also known for his pastoral zeal and goodwill in making himself available to offer Holy Masses, to administer the Sacraments and to do the house blessings. Fr. Giri was a charismatic priest who touched many souls by his prayers, preaching and healing ministry.
Fr. Giri just returned to Bangalore on 15th May after completing his summer holiday pastoral Ministry in the USA. We never expected that his end would come so soon. He died as he lived.
In the death of Fr. Abraham Giri Raju, we have lost a young dynamic priest of our Archdiocese. We shall continue to gratefully remember his valuable services to the Archdiocese and also pray for the repose of his soul. On behalf of all of you, I express my heartfelt sympathies to his relatives and friends. May the Lord grant them grace and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Since Fr. Giri died while in service as Professor and Formator at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary and Institute, a Requiem Mass is arranged on 2nd of June 2017 at 07.00 a.m. at
St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary Chapel for the benefit of the Staff and Students of the Seminary and the Institute to pray for his soul and to pay their last respects. May I, on behalf of the Bishops of The Board of Administration of St. Peter’s Seminary and Institute, offer my deepest condolences to the staff and student as they bid fondest farewell to their dear departed Professor and Formator.
The Funeral Mass and the Burial Service of the late Rev. Fr. Abraham Giri Raju will take place on 2nd June, 2017 at 10.00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road. His mortal remains will be kept for public homage at Sacred Heart Church on 2nd June, 2017 from 09.30 a.m. onwards.
All the Priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer 3 Masses for the repose of his soul.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord; and let the perpetual
Light shine upon him. And may his soul rest in peace.
+ Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore