PUDUCHERRY: The mortal remains of Cardinal D Simon Lourdusamy were laid to rest inside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral here on Monday.
After a funeral service presided over by Dr Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in India, the coffin containing the mortal remains was lowered to the grave, dug beneath the St Joseph’s altar, at 1.30 pm.
Earlier, the mortal remains were kept for the public to pay homage at the Petit Seminare School and later taken to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in a procession via Nedarajappair Street. Former Union Minister V Narayanasamy accompanied the procession.
Hundreds of people from Puducherry, Cuddalore, Villupuram and other districts of TN attended the funeral service, led by Dr Salvatore Pennacchio, which began at 10.35 am. Cardinal Dr Oswald Gracias (Mumbai) and Dr Anthony Anandarayar conducted the funeral mass.
Dr Salvatore Pennacchio read out the condolence message from Holy Father Pope Francis. The Cardinal Lourdusamy’s sister Mary, cousin Vincent and another relative, father P John Bosco were present. After the communion prayers, Cardinal Dr George Alencherry, Father and Head of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Cardinal Telespore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, in their funeral orations recalled their associations with the Cardinal D Simon Lourdusamy.
Dr Philip Neri, Archbishop of Goa, read out the message from Cardinal Cleemis, President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).
Final blessing of the grave was performed by Dr A Anthony Anandarayar, Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. Chief Minister N Rangasamy attended the funeral mass.