Page 59 - Bishop-Roch-Jubli-Malar

A CAUSERIE ON

BISHOP ROCHE

Fr. K. Y. Anthony, Madras..

I was six years when the Diocese of no Feast Day was missed; no Birthday bypassed;

Tuticorin came into being. I was seven- teen when I news would be shared. Eminent in stature and
joined the Levitical rank for the Diocese which was status, he would not consider it infra dig to share his
then just twelve years in existence, a 'toddler' in sentiments with a humble seminarian. There was no
terms of growth. It could be said that my own
question of partiality to one in preference to
growth as a person, as a seminarian and as a priest
another. Every seminarian, acquainted with him,
coincided with the growth and development of the
would feel that the Bishop had a soft corner for him
Diocese whose destiny rested in the hands of
in his heart. Thus he laid the foundation for a
Bishop Roche. The best part of my life and the
cohesive Presbyterium that would stand by him in
better portion of my energies were expended for its
the performance of his demanding duties as the
well being. Now, engaged in a ministry outside the
chief Pastor of his flock.
frontiers of the diocese, it happens, not
infrequently, that my mind reminisces and traverses It fell on any one or two of the seminarians,
over the regions of my past apostolate when vacationing at the Bishop's House during the
recollections of Bishop Roche rush and occupy the summer months, to tidy up the Bishop's living
centre of my mental meanderings, when he room, to arrange the books, to classify the files etc.

becomes alive and his memory lingers. Even after a etc. It was once my chance to do the same. It was in
passage of almost a quarter of a century since his the late thirties. While engaged at the task assigned
departure from our midst, the impact of his to me, I sighted in one of the shelves a stray sheet of
personality is still strong all over the area of his paper, which on scrutiny happened to be my own
steward- ship. If, on glancing over the years of my letter which I had written to him a couple of years
past activities, I have a feeling of satisfaction and earlier. It took me by surprise and raised questions.
achievement, I must attribute it to the guidance and Why should my letter be preserved, I wondered.
direction inspired by him. Was it for the sake of a casual reference to an
incident I had recounted therein? Visiting a parish
Accipe vestem candidam Receive this
in the Diocese as a seminarian on vacation, I saw
white tunic which you shall carry forth unsullied
from the moving bus a leper in great anguish. The
and stainless before the 'judgment seat of our Lord
sight was gruesome, and I was a bit shaken. In a
Jesus Christ." Such was the greeting I received
subsequent letter to the Bishop. I refered to this
from him on the eve of my vestition on June 24,
incident, and added: "How I wished to be of service
1937. Ever since letters used to cross between us;

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