Archbishop Emeritus Alphonsos Mathias Passes Away at 96

Archbishop Emeritus Alphonsos Mathias of Bangalore Archdiocese died at 96 in Bengaluru due to age-related illnesses. Born on June 22, 1928, in Karnataka, Mathias started his priesthood journey in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1954. He served as the Archbishop from 1986 to 1998.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Archdiocese, Alphonsos Mathias, passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in Bengaluru due to age-related diseases, according to the Archdiocese authorities.

Mathias, aged 96, will have his last rites performed on July 11. Born on June 22, 1928, in Pangala village, South Canara district of Karnataka, he was the fourth child of Diego Mathias and Philomena D'Souza. His journey into priesthood began in June 1945 at St Joseph Seminary in Jeppu, Mangaluru.

Ordained a priest on August 24, 1954, in Kandy, Mathias celebrated his first Solemn Mass at Pangala Church. He was appointed Archbishop of Bangalore on September 12, 1986, taking charge on December 3 that year, and resigned in 1998. His passing on July 10, 2024, marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened and the lives he touched.