The Late Fr. Gabriel Dias.
Fr.Gabriel seen addressing a meeting at Kuwait Plaza
It is with regret and
sorrow I got the news yesterday of the death of Fr. Gabriel Dias, a Carmelite
from Margao. About 2 months back I along
with my wife and daughter went to see him at his Margao Monastery but
unfortunately he was not in a position to recognize me.
Fr. Gabriel seen during felicitation of Prince Jacob in Kuwait
He was my best friend
in Kuwait since he came to Kuwait in early Nineties as one of the priests for
Kuwait Church. His tremendous love for Goa and Goan causes brought us together
and we together fought many battles against the injustice going on against Goans
in Kuwait. He was very bold and daring,
could face any mighty person whether Kuwaiti or American or European. His forte
lies in his fight for justice for humanity.
He helped many Maids especially Goan from the persecution they suffered
from some nasty Kuwaitis.
Fr. Gabriel addressing one Meeting in Kuwait City Hotel
We both founded one
organization called “KONKANI HERITAGE KUWAIT” to bring greater fusion among all
the Konkani people living in Kuwait and also to help the Maids to get them
released from the Prison and get them back to India by paying their Air
Tickets. In this way we saved so many of
our sisters and sent them back to Goa in the arms of their family members. In
fact KHK is the combined efforts of all our colleagues and all the like minded
people.
Seen seated next to (right) Indian Ambassador
He was a great preacher
and his preaching was meaningful, faithful like his sermons very much. He was the architect of starting of Night
Vigil in Kuwait. He was very humble and kind hearted priest.
Seen entering Indian Embassy Auditorium for his farewell function
Unfortunately, due to
his popularity among all segments of people in Kuwait he acquired lot of
jealousy from his own circle in the Church, one of them was his own Maltese Bishop
Monsg. Frances Michallef who even complained against him to his Provincial in
Mangalore even implicating me for misguiding him.
Seen delivering his farewell speech
Though he was so busy
in his work yet he was always accessible to any one at any time. He never got tired in helping the needy.
Seen presenting a memento to Tiatrist Marcus Vaz
Under KHK we organized many
functions in Kuwait mainly the Tiatros and Musical Shows by bringing prominent artistes
from Goa, these Shows were scripted by the late Rosary Ferns and directed by
Fidelis. These were the most beautiful
and most successful Shows in Kuwait. Thru these Shows we collected funds for
our activities.
Indian Ambassador presenting a farewell gift to Fr.
May his Soul Rest In
Peace.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
