Fr Marianus Kullu entered the heavenly abode peacefully at 11.00 a.m., on 11th October 2021, in the Palliative Care Centre, Hatighisa. His funeral Mass was held the next day at St Peter’s Church, Gayaganga, presided over by Bishop Vincent Aind, with Fr Wilfred Lobo, Provincial, bishops of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri dioceses and many priests in the packed church. Fr Provincial conducted the funeral service at the cemetery.
For the past three years, Fr Marianus was battling with metastatic cancer. In late 2018, he was taken to Kolkata for diagnosis and treatment. When the doctor indicated very little chance of improvement, Fr Marianus was shifted back to Jesu Ashram. His health improved considerably for almost two years, under Dr Pankaj Chaudhury’s care. Early this year, his condition began to deteriorate and he was admitted to Navjeevan hospital, Gayaganga, in September, and then to Hatighisa where he spent his last days.
Born in 1960 at Dumki NagraToli, Simdega (in present-day Jharkhand), Fr Marianus joined the Darjeeling Province in 1981. He was ordained with four more deacons on 26th October 1996, by the Canadian Bishop Terence Prendergast at Gayaganga, in an unforgettable four-hour long ordination ceremony.
Fr Marianus served in various places in the Darjeeling Province, in different capacities. He taught in North Point, Hatighisa, Kurseong, Uttar Salbari, and Matigara. He was a dedicated pastor in Tandrebong, Panighata and Hansqua parishes, and also served as assistant director at the Minor Seminary of Jalpaiguri Diocese. He proved that faith triumphs over science. He lived the last three years because of his prayer, simple and disciplined lifestyle, and belief in himself. He readily cooperated with the doctors and enjoyed a cheerful conversation with the visitors. Our special thanks to the Jesu Ashram community for serving him with dedication and love.
Joseph Victor, SJ
