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We have lost a good shepherd: Evarist Pinto
* Christians of Karachi flood cathedral to bid Archbishop Simeon Anthony
Pereira farewell
KARACHI: The funeral of Archbishop Simeon Anthony Pereira, held at Saint
Patricks Cathedral Sunday, drew such a large crowd that many mourners who had
come to pay their respects and view the body had to sit outside.
The ceremony was also attended by His Excellency The Vatican Apostolic Nuncio
in Pakistan, Archbishop Adolfo Yllana, who holds the title of ambassador
designate to Pakistan, as well as the bishops of Hyderabad, Multan,
Faisalabad, Quetta and Rawalpindi/Islamabad were also present. Over 20 orders
of the Diocese attended the massive funeral ceremony.
Pereira passed away last Monday at the age of 78 after he suffered a heart
attack. He had vacated his position as active archbishop three years ago but
his title remained according to the requirements of the church.
Pereiras body was kept at the mortuary of the Holy Family Hospital. The body
arrived in a hearse at 9:10 a.m. Six scouts came marching towards the hearse,
saluted the casket, lifted it on their shoulders and took it to the cathedral
stairs. There the body was first blessed by the current Archbishop of Karachi
The Most Reverend Evarist Pinto.
>From there it was carried inside the cathedral where, first the family, then
the clergy and then the congregation were allowed to pay their last respects.
A portion of the casket was opened at the head and covered by a transparent
slab. Ushers throughout the hall helped guide people who wanted to view the
body. Later, the service of Holy Mass was held, after which the body was again
blessed.
Archbishop Pereira was laid to rest next to (late) Archbishop Joseph Cordeiro,
who was the first cardinal of Pakistan.
Two sets of choirs - one in Urdu and the other English - sang hymns in
remembrance of the late archbishop. A guitar and a dholak assisted the Urdu
choir, while guitars and a synthesizer assisted the English choir.
Reverend Father Robert DSilva gave the opening remarks and said his late
friend always believed in simplicity. DSilva called Pereira a modern Moses.
He said Pereiras mission was life and life was his mission. We have lost not
only a good pasture but also a good shepherd, he said.
The opening remarks were followed by reading from the Holy Gospel and then the
Gospel. This was followed by Homily and finally the Holy Eucharist. The Most
Reverend Evarist Pinto called Pereiras death a sorrowful moment. He said that
Pereira had made the choice of serving the Lord. We thank God for his
Christian services in Karachi and Islamabad and Rawalpindi, he said.
His Excellency The Vatican Apostolic Nuncio in Pakistan, Archbishop Adolfo
Yllana, who is from the Philippines, read out condolences from the Vatican.
Later a member of Pereiras family also read out a message to the audience,
which remained till the end in large numbers.
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