Mangalore, December 13: The body of the late Archbishop Dr Ambrose Madtha, who died in a road accident in Ivory Coast, will arrive in Mangalore on Friday at 10 a.m. along with a delegation of eleven senior officials of the West African republic, said Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza.
Addressing media persons at a press conference at his residence here on Thursday, he said that the body of the late Archbishop will be brought in a special casket by a special flight of the president of State of Ivory Coast.
The accompanying delegation will be led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ivory Coast Charles Koffi Diby, and will include Minister of Social Affairs Anne Desiree Ouloto, President of Episcopal Conference Dr Alexis Touabli Youlo and Archbishop of Abidjan Dr Jean-Pierre Kutwa among others.
It will be taken to Rosario Cathedral in the city for public homage and a special mass will be held for his repose at 4 p.m. in the cathedral. The funeral will be held at his native parish Holy Redeemer Church in Belthangady, on Saturday at 10 a.m., he said adding that the Pope Benedict XVI and Secretary of Vatican State Cardinal Tarcisio Bartone have sent their condolences to the late Archbishop's family members.
The Nuncio of India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio will arrive in Mangalore on Thursday evening. The late Archbishop was the only Papal Nuncio to Ivory Coast. He was very well-known as a peacemaker and a mediator during the political crisis in the state in 2010-11, said the bishop.
Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese Fr Denis Moras was present at the press conference.
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