Nov 21: Fr Valerian Lewis, parish priest of Infant Mary Church, Katipalla passed away on the evening of Sunday November 21 due to cardiac arrest. He was 55.
Fr Lewis experienced breathlessness all of a sudden during the adoration of holy sacrament and was rushed to a private hospital, where he breathed his last.
Born in Puttur in 1966 to Antony Lewis and Catherine Lewis (nee Lobo), Fr Lewis was ordained priest in 1995.
He served as assistant parish priest in Barkur and Vamanjoor, as assistant director in Jeppu parish, and as parish priest in Kokkada, Sullia and Manjeshwar.
Since 2019, he was serving as parish priest of Katipalla.
He was known for his soft-spoken nature and administrative skills. It was during his tenure that the new Manjeshwar church was built.
More details awaited.