A great social activist, pioneer of a number of social work projects in the Karnataka Province, Fr Francis Guntipilly was in the frontline of the Covid Relief Work during the first wave of COVID-19. In April this year he tested positive to Coronavirus, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on 18th April in Bengaluru.
In his commitment to the service of the poor, Fr Francis was daring, even reckless at times. Besides St Joseph’s Community College which he was instrumental in founding, he pioneered and supported a number of initiatives at Ashirvaad, almost all of them in favour of the poor and the marginalized. His commitment and availability took him to the lengths and breadths of Karnataka. He was Parish Priest at Mundgod and Anekal, Director of Social Centre, Mundgod, and Coordinator of Human Rights and Legal Service Cell at ISI, Bengaluru. In the last six years of his life, Francis served also as the Secretary to the Labour Commission of Karnataka Bishops.
Francis’ competence, availability and service adorned various apostolic sectors in which he filled multiple roles as lawyer, social activist, human rights advocate and family counselor. Francis’ outward appearance was that of a rough and tough person, but concealed beneath the deceptive exterior, was a heart that was deeply sensitive, reaching out in solidarity to people in need, regardless of caste or creed or ideology.
Francis had many ailments: diabetes, heart, cancer, among them. He was consuming heavy doses of medicine every day. He had many accidents, some major ones as well. Yet he bounced back to life, displaying endless energy. However, when the Lord his God called him to his eternal reward, Francis, in obedience, yielded his pirit. Adieu, Fr Francis – till we meet again!
Jerome D’Souza, SJ
