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We are very sorry to inform you the sudden
demise of Bishop Simon Kaipuram CM, Bishop of
Balasore Diocese.
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BISHOP SIMOM KAIPURAM, CM
(1954– 2019 )
On
April 22, 2019 Monday morning at 1.45 amour dear
Bishop Rt.Rev. Simon Kaipuram,CM passed away for
the eternal reward of the Lord. At the demise of
Bishop Simon the Diocese of Balasore has lost a
great visionary. He was 65 years old. The sad
news was received with disbelief and deep sorrow
by the people of all segments throughout India
with whom the Bishop associated with love and
humility. The absence of Bishop Simon will be
dearly missed by people of Odisha especially the
Priests, Sisters, Brothers and Lay faithful of
Balasore Diocese.
On 21st evening Bishop had the dinner with the
community members of Balasore and he was quite
pleasantand joyful until the time they said good
night for rest. At 12.10 early in the morning,
Bishop felt uneasiness and he came down and
opened the grill to communicate the same to the
Fathers who were in the presbytery. The Fathers
rushed him to Jyothi Hospital and the doctors
while examining Bishop Simon found out that the
causes of his weakness are ‘known case of hyper
tension’ and ‘perspiration with chest pain’. ECG
reports showed ST elevation and acute MI. So the
cardiologist prescribed lifesaving drugs and
injection and the same were given instantly to
rescue Bishop Simon. However Bishop did not
respond to the medicines. Therefore Bishop
Thomas administeredthe sacrament of anointing of
the sick to him at about 1.40 am. Although the
doctors tried their best, Bishop Simon breathed
his last at 1.45am due to massive heart attack.
Listening to the Divine call to become a
Vincentian, he bade adieu to the family members
and joinedin the Congregation of Mission. So he
left home and reached at Bhanjanagar in Odisha
for Minor Seminary studies in 1969 with a vision
to become a missionary priest. He was ordained
priest on 20th December 1980. He was sent to
Rome to pursue doctrinal studies on Sacred
Scripture in 1984. He was the rector of Acquinas
College,Gopalpur when he was appointed Bishop of
Balasore by His Holiness Pope Francis on 9th
December, 2013. He was consecrated bishop on
January 30, 2014. The vaccum created by his sad
demise is not to be easily filled in because
Bishop Simon was much loved pastor, kind and
caring person for the people of Odisha. People
were always important for him that he was
comfortable in dealing to a poor man on the
street as any high officials or rich in the
society. Throughout his ministry as a priest
andshepherd, Bishop Simon showed a great
affinity and pastoral dedication to the Catholic
community.
Being a Scripture scholar, he was a visiting
professor to many seminaries in India. He was
also much sought-after for preaching retreats to
religious sisters and priests due to his
scripture background, simple life, deep
spirituality and acceptability.
The funeral service was held at Cathedral
Church, Balasore on 24th April. The Holy Mass
was presided over by Most Rev.Archbishop John
Barwa, SVD, the Archbishop of
Cuttack-Bhubaneswar concelebrated by Most
Rev.Mathew Moolakkatt, OSB the Archbishop of
Kottayam and Rt.Rev.Thomas Thiruthalil, CM along
with the other Bishops of Odisha, Kerala and
Jharkhand. A large number of Priests, Sisters,
lay Faithful and people from other denominations
and communities had gathered for the funeral
service. A good number of Provincial Superiors
were also present for the function. The family
members of Bishop Simon had arrived on the
previous day and they were witnessing the
programme on the day of funeral. The officials,
press-media and a number of political leaders
including His Excellency Naveen Patnaik, the
Chief Minister of Odisha also visited the spot
to pay homage to Bishop Simon.
The Requiem Mass for Bishop Simon is celebrated
in the cathedral at 11.00 am on Tuesday 30th
April.
His mortal remains were laid to rest at the
Cathedral Church in Balasore. His death leaves a
significant gap in Balasore Diocese. May His
Soul Rest In Peace.
Bishop’s House, Balasore
Fr.Isaac Puthenangady
Diocesan Administrator
click here for the
funeral photographs |
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e 4 civil Districts : Bhadrak,
Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar of Orissa
State, was under the Archdiocese of Calcutta
until 1968.Though the origin of Christianity in
this part of North East Orissa can be traced
back to 1514 with a Portuguese settlement in
Pippilli, Balasore got a resident Priest in the
person of Fr. Sapport S.J. only in 1865. He had
built a beautiful church (Lal Girja) in Balasore
and had started a Foundling Home, which later
was looked after by the Daughters of the Cross
(DC). Fr Sapport S.J. was said to be the Pioneer
Missionary of Balasore. In 1915, the Daughters
of St. Joseph of Chembery had arrived and opened
a Convent and a School in Balasore which was
functioning until 1938. 
