Bengaluru: Fr Ronnie Prabhu SJ (75) Passes Away

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Bengaluru: Fr Ronnie Prabhu SJ passed away due to cancer at St Philomena Hospital at the age of 75, here on August 18.
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Fr Ronnie Prabhu, SJ

According to sources, Fr Ronnie Prabhu SJ was suffering from cancer. He was diagnosed with terminal abdominal cancer in January 2015. Earlier in May, he had undergone surgery at Narayana Hradayalaya. He had a tough time since and was admitted to the hospital two days ago.
He passed away at 6.45 pm at St Philomena Hospital. He was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit and was under observation.
Funeral will be held on August 20 at St Jospeh’s College Chapel at 9:00 am, Bengaluru and the burial will be held at Mount St. Joseph Jesuit house at Bannerghatta.
The affable Jesuit priest, who was ordained in 1970, has always been in some or the other position of authority and responsibility – as Director of some works, as superior, Rector or Provincial. He was the former rector of St Aloysius College and former provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province. One of his favourite projects has been inter-religious dialogue, for which he has worked tirelessly.

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9 Comments

  1. What a shocking message. What a sad message. What an unexpected message. Just three days ago we took the privilege in conferring upon Fr. Ronnie Prabhu the Award as an “Outstanding Community Leader” for the year 2014/2015. Just yesterday having enquired with Fr. Denzil the email address of Fr. Ronnie Prabhu and meanwhile I bought a nice “Get Well” card to be sent to him with a nice letter about the Award.

    God has His own plans in this world. God knows the best for each one of us. Fr. Ronnie was a great leader, a great scholar and also a great friend. May Fr. Ronnie rest in peace.

  2. Rev Father Ronnie has not passed way- he has merged with the Lord and his Spirit will continue to guide us till we are called to the Lord. In the human body he was a source of inspiration to tens of thousands of people. For those of us from the Inter Religious Harmony Movement in Bangalore, he was always our beacon.

    I met Ronnie foe the first time in the then Dhyanashram Campus way ahead of Mt St Joseph, almost near Bannerghatta. He was such an impressive personality, I remember his sessions to this day, after over four decades. I met him two weeks ago in his room. He was just going to rest in his bed. He was full of spirit and asked me to cover his kegs with the blanket. I went back to the room from the door once again, an touched him in the face. that feeling of love was so very evident in his eyes as he smiled as usual.

    Hindus have lost a great friend amongst our Christian brethern. Let us all for different faiths work to keep his ideals od spiritual harmony alive

  3. Sad to know Fr Ronnie Prabhu is no more, I met him on my last visit to India.

    Of all the many things in which he helped us , I am reminded of one of the Bajans he taught us in high school – ‘Hey Prabhu bolo ab tu, sun aaha hey daas thera …’

    Very wise and intelligent man, never idling for a moment in his service as a priest.

    RIP

  4. Shocking news. God always has a purpose and sent his ambassador to us for only so long. But His blessings will guide us now. My sincere sympathy to the family and Community.

  5. I’ll miss Fr. Ronnie Prabhu. He was always supportive when we were kids in school. Wish him the very best in the after life.

  6. RIP. You will remain in our hearts and thoughts for the towering personality, yet humane jesuit with ever charming smile and full of energy. you have guided us (students) always. Peace be with you.

  7. Fr Ronnie Prabhu was a model priest who worked tirelessly for the service of the Church and society at large. His last and favourite project on inter-religous dialogue was a big success. Fr Ronnie could inspire with both his knowledge and good example of a Christian Missionary to all who knew him

  8. his is sad news for us who have moved with and been in touch with a great soul – Fr Ronald N Prabhu (Fr Ronnie to most).

    Much can be said but this is just to inform that this great soul a visionary and dynamic leader has been called to his Maker. This is a big blow for all of us who knew and loved him but he went “with his boots on” as he always wanted to be working till the end, for all he stood for and believed.
    No he has not died but lives on in Christ.

    Those who viewed the body at the premise from 8 am onwards for all his well wishers who could make it early. Many came from far and wide (Mysore, Belgaum, Mangalore, Hubli, Dharwad, Chikmagalur, Anekal, etc. the 20th Aug Mass was concelebrated by Bangalore Archbishop Rev Dr Bernard Moras, and other Bishops from many parts of Karnataka, and many other priests secular and Jesuits. Many could not come due to transportation inavailability at short notice but have sent their condolences from all over Karnataka, Goa, Mumbai, Nagaland, Canada, USA, etc. Bishops and priests and friends from other denominations (Jacobites, Orthodox, Mar Thoma, SDA, CSI, CNI, Methodist, AGs, FCCO, Believers Church, Lutherans, Baptists & others) ; people from other faiths (Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, Ba’hais, freethinkers, etc) had also participated in prayer for him, besides the overflowing chapel and adjoining halls and verandahs, isles, and even part of the grounds. Truly, it was an ecumenical and inter-religious gathering as Fr Ronnie would have always liked and lived for in his earthly life and now in eternal life. He would have smiled in appreciation and love from where he is – thrilled that all Gods children have come together in prayer.

    Tributes went on and on and finally respect to his mortal remains were seen as the groundswell of sincere people filed past- wishing the family and being wished too as he (Fr Ronnie) was their family too.

    We are too shocked to feel the impact clearly which will take some time. His family gathered to wish him farewell but were devastated by the sudden loss. We will all miss him and trust that the lessons learned from him to seek God in all and love as He (God) loves, and leave the rest to Him (God) will remain and blossom for the better, greater good of all humankind.

    Keith D Cunha (old associate and friend)

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