Page 49 - Bishop-Roch-Jubli-Malar

BISHOP

FRANCIS TIBURTIUS ROCHE

Fr. Xavier S. Thaninayagam.

Bishop Gabriel Francis Tiburtius Roche, such that they left a lasting impression on his
the first Indian Bishop of the Latin rite, was well hearers. He was a splendid orator both in English
known all over India and Ceylon and in many parts and Tamil and as such was invited to preach clergy
of the world. He came of a well known family of retreats both in India and Ceylon. As a son of
Tuticorin which has given three sons to the Church, Ignatius, he followed the Ignatian method very

the other two being Father Gaspar Roche and successfully. The faithful drank from his lips. Piety
Father Joseph Roche. The silver jubilee of his was in every sentence espe cially piety towards the
ordination as Bishop was celebrated with great Sacred Heart. He had many bishop friends and

pomp with many South Indian bishops and the admirers. Bishop Chulaparambil of Kottyam was a
Archbishop of Colombo present. When he died, an close friend of his, and they used to exchange letters
all-India voice was made silent. During his every first Friday.
episcopate he had earned a niche for himself in the
Bishop Roche was an intellectual and a man
ecclesiastical history of India.
of great culture. He combined in himself the best of
Bishop Roche during his tenure of office East and West. He derived his culture not only from
was the spiritual and civic head of Tuticorin. No the best of English and Tamil literature but also
spiritual or civic function was complete without his from French. His motto was noblesse oblige.
presence. When the ship V. O. Chidambaram was Hardly a harsh word escaped his lips. He was every

launched he was invited to be present. The then inch a gentleman and a saint in the spiritual order.
Viceroy C. R. Rajagopalachari invited him to the With delinquents, priests or people, he was
ship and had himself photographed with him. When extremely patient. He would often quote: "Omnia

Mahatma Gandhi died, there was a public vide, multum dissimula, pauca corrige". He loved
condolence meeting. The bishop was the chief his priests and people. Often he would write to send
speaker and he moved every one to tears by his his good wishes and blessings for the feast day of
sublime and subdued oratory. his priests. He was a voracious reader and he
wished his priests also to be of a high intellectual
Bishop Roche was above all a man of God.
standard. He paid subscription for the clergy
No one who saw him pray or say Mass remained
monthly to be sent to his priests and stocked a very
unmoved by his uninhibited devotion. His
good library. His personality was built also partly
exhortation to his clergy and to the faithful were

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