Pope Francis joined those mourning the death of Cardinal Emeritus Telesphore Placidus Toppo, who brought global recognition to India’s tribal Church.
On October 5, the Pope sent a telegram of condolences to Archbishop Felix Toppo of Ranchi, expressing his sadness at Cardinal Toppo’s passing.
Cardinal Toppo passed away on October 4 due to age-related ailments at the age of 84. He had been admitted to the hospital three months ago and died following a cardiac arrest.
In his message, the Pope commends the Cardinal Emeritus’ “noble soul to the infinite mercies of God, our Heavenly Father.”
“I recall with immense gratitude the late Cardinal’s years of dedicated priestly and episcopal ministry to the local Churches of Dumka and Ranchi, as well as his contributions to the wider Church in India and to the Apostolic See,” he wrote.
The Pope recalled the zeal for the spread of the Gospel that marked the late Cardinal’s service, “his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and generous pastoral care of the poor and those in need.”
The Pope assured those mourning the death of the sure hope of the Resurrection and imparted his blessing “as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), mourning its former president’s death, said he had left “an indelible mark on the religious and social landscape of our country.”
The conference noted that the prelate’s elevation to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II in 2003 was not just a personal honor but also a recognition of the growing importance of the tribal Church in India.
CBCI president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, who is currently attending the synod in Rome, hailed Cardinal Toppo as “a source of inspiration for all. His wisdom, spirituality, and dedication to the Church were exemplary. He will be remembered for his profound commitment to the marginalized and his tireless efforts to foster unity and understanding among different faiths.”
Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, hailed Cardinal Toppo “as an epitome of selfless service who toiled for the integral development of the people entrusted to him.”
As the first Asian tribal cardinal, “he stood as a source of pride and inspiration for the socially disadvantaged segments of society,” said a statement issued by the Media Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church.
“His humility and simplicity coupled with his social commitment gave him wider acceptance. His administrative acumen shone through in his double election as president of the CCBI and his term as president of the CBCI. He was a great supporter of the communion ecclesiology to be accepted by the CBCI.”
“With his passing, the Church in India bids farewell to a fervent champion of the destitute, an educationist who harmonized progress with education, and a distinguished humanist who reached out to people from all walks of life,” said Cardinal Alencherry.
