We are here today to bid farewell to a great person whose sojourn on this earth has come to an end. The footprints during his life span will remain marked over an era of history: He was a giant. A giant not only in stature, but also in the field of his work and expertise, especially as he exercised his duties connected with the plenitude of the priesthood.
The life of Bishop Deogupillai could be summed up in one word - "teacher". He was a teacher par excellance - a proverbial guru. Fr. B. Deogupillai virtually began his priestly ministry as a teacher. He began at St. Joseph's College, Anuradhapura and became a well-known figure in the North Central Province having served there both as Rector and Parish Priest. Even though this appointment was given to him in his early years of the priesthood he measured up very well to the task and became a much revered teacher who was admired as much for what he was as for what he taught.
Bishop Deogupillai was also a scholar. His forte was catechetics, Tamil language and literature and history. He has many publications in the field of catechetics. Being a teacher par excellence, education was one of his favourite apostolates and he made a very significant contribution in the field of religious teaching. As a researcher and writer he continued his work almost to the point when the curtain fell closing his life.
Even as a member of the Bishops' Conference he continued his dedication to teachingthis time more to the teaching of religion. He was mostly associated with the Catholic
National Commission for Education and Catechetics. He contributed much to steer the
Commission during the most turbulent times of the immediate post Vatican II era - when sweeping changes were taking place in the Church and adjustments in many spheres of Church life became necessary. At this time the department of catechetics especially needed wise guidance. The late Bishop did yeoman service and was very equal to the task.
As a member of the Bishops' Conference, he was well known to be well prepared for its meetings. Being a disciplinarian he would come having made all the relevant references in Canon Law and other disciplines. Naturally, this enabled him always to make a very scholarly contribution.
It was not seldom that he became the subject of criticism. But popularity was hardly his concern when he exercised the courage of his convictions. This was so not only in matters of Church administration, but also in the field of social and political concern.
Conditioned throughout as a guru, he had a stem appearance. But behind this stem appearance there was a golden heart in this man of great dignity and reverence. Much as he was unrelenting at times, there was his great love for his people and a kindness of heart that mellowed when sympathy demanded.
So little could I say here of so great a man. I could go on and on. But as the poet says
"Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust
Or Flattery soothe the dull cold ear of Death? "
Therefore let me conclude. A great Bishop has left us, as we shall all some day. Farewell good Bishop until we meet in the Lord. For you, we shall pray. |
