KARACHI: The funeral mass of Reverend Father Archilles (Archie) D’Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church, who died on March 25, will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Saddar, on Saturday (today) at 4:40 pm.
He will be laid to rest at 5:00 pm. Father D’Souza is reported to have been a chronic patient of diabetes and kidney problems. However, the immediate cause of his death was said to be cardiac arrest. He was 64. He was found dead at his parish residence by the staff.
Fr D’Souza was a holder of a doctorate in Islamic Theology and a Masters in Mathematics. He also studied at the prestigious Harvard University in the US. Known both among the Christian and Muslim communities of the city for his intellect and intellectual magnanimity, Fr D’Souza was often a keynote speaker at many seminars and symposia. He was a pioneer in the highly constructive Muslim-Christian dialogue and had started a Qura’an-cum-Bible Study group comprising clerics and lay persons from both religions which met once a week at his place.
He was also engaged in honorary teaching at many educational and technical institutes, including some of the government-owned ones.
His death has been termed an irreparable loss to the Christian community by Muslims and Christians of the city alike. According to the Bishop, his burial was delayed by a few days for his relatives to arrive from overseas. Two of his sisters have arrived from Australia.
