By Bernard Moras Archbishop of Bangalore

• Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth” (Rev. 14:13)

With profound grief, I condole the death of our beloved Rev Fr Joseph Konreddy, a Senior Priest of our Archdiocese who died on Wednesday, July 25 at 6.00 p.m.  at his brother’s home at Avala Tippayapalli, Kurnool.
 
Rev. Fr. Joseph Konreddy was born on September 19, 1927 at Avala Tippayapalli, Andrapradesh. His parents were Inna Reddy and Chinnamma. After his school studies, he joined the Archdiocese of Bangalore and did his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary, Nellore, and Major Seminary studies at  St Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore.  He was ordained a priest on December 15, 1952 at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Bangalore.  He served the Archdiocese for 59 long years, in different capacities at the following places:

1953-1956   : Asst. Parish Priest – St. Sebastian’s Church, Coramandel, KGF
1956-1960   : Parish Priest – St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Gokunte
1960-1961   : Asst. Parish Priest – St. Anne’s Church, Marathalli
1961-1964   : Asst. Parish Priest – St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Cleveland Town
1964-1965   : Parish Priest – Immaculate Conception Church, Doresanipalya
1965-1970   : Parish Priest - St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Chikka Kammanahalli
1970-1974   : Parish Priest – Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tumkur
1974-1979   : Parish Priest – Sacred Heart Church, Siluvepura
1979-1987   : Parish Priest – St. Peter and Paul Church, Rayapuram
1987-1992   : Parish Priest – St. Pius X Church, Kammanahalli
2001-2007   : Retired – St. Mary’s Orphanage
2008           : Clergy Home
 
Though he was ailing from old age I never expected that his end would come so soon. His death came as a great shock to me. He died as he lived. He never complained of anything. Rev Fr Konreddy was a simple and jovial person. He was a priest for all and he was a very prayerful person.
 
Fr. Konreddy left Clergy Home on July 25 around 8.30 a.m. to go to his native place to bless the wedding of one of his relatives. He had a safe journey to his native place, met his relatives and had a cup of tea with them. He had a heart attack at 6.00 p.m., collapsed and died.
 
He never ever believed in glamour or publicity. He always tried to serve by remaining incognito. He always stood for the Church, the truth and justice. He had carved a niche for himself in the hearts of the faithful wherever he served.
 
In the death of Fr Joseph Konreddy, we have lost a senior priest of our Archdiocese. We shall continue to pray for the repose of his soul in gratitude for all the services that he had rendered for all of us in the Archdiocese.
 
On behalf of all my Priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful, I avail myself of this occasion to express my heartfelt sympathies to his relatives and friends. May the Lord grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
 
His Funeral Service will take place on Friday, July 27 at 11.00 am,  at Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road. The mortal remains of Rev Fr Joseph Konreddy will be kept for  public homage at Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road on Friday 27 July from 8.00 am onwards.
 
All the priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer 3 Masses for the repose of the soul of the late Rev Fr Joseph Konreddy.
 
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual, light shine upon him. And may his soul rest in peace.