Fr. Hugh Fonseca [The Truth Behind The Lies]

Fr. Hugh Fonseca ex-Parish Priest of several churches in Mumbai, his last being St.Michael's Church Mahim died on 16th June 2011. He was at the Clergy home when at about 4.15 p.m. (IST) he suffered a massive heart attack and died.

Fr. Hugh Fonseca had a lot of supporters from the poor and the parishioners of the Jari Mari parish who still visited him in large numbers as proof of their love for him.

In recent years Fr. Hugh was made a target by certain individuals and members of the clergy who were hurt by his policies.

Fr. Hugh has been used as a trouble shooter in the Archdiocese. On 31st May 2005 the canteen was locked by the previous parish priest and on June 1st 2005 which was the first day Fr. Hugh took over as Parish Priest the keys of the canteen were handed over to him. So from day one he was put in the hot seat.What the previous parish priest couldn't do Fr.Hugh was made to do.

Fr. Hugh complained about illegal constructions in Church property being carried out by a prominent catholic.

Fr. Hugh was told to get rid of the candle seller stalls in the Church premises.

Fr. Hugh dared to send notices to all those persons whose church owned rented flats were locked and who were happily settled abroad.

Fr. Hugh installed cameras in the Church premises and wanted to install cameras in the counting room but the same could not be done.

Fr. Hugh told the Choirs who were singing on a professional basis and using church equipment to part with a certain percentage for the welfare of all choirs who do not charge .This too was not liked by those choirs.

A number of other measures were taken which was not to the liking of certain individuals who were used to enjoying power for a number of years.

The list goes on and on and a number of powerful persons and clergy who were hurt with his policies wanted to get even with him.

The first attack was regarding how Marydell came to be sold to a Muslim builder.

All the priests then attached to St. Michael's Church claimed that they were not informed about the deal and complained to the higher ups.Meetings were held in Church premises and support was garnered up against Fr Hugh. Parish Council members who are not supposed to interfere in property matters were openly discussing about property issues and issuing letters mentioning their posts. All those persons who has lost contracts or who were affected by his policies ganged up against him and wanted to stab him. In fact one of the Priests who is still attached to St. Michael's Church posted a comment on Face book that "Happy days are here again" when the news of Fr. Hugh transfer from St. Michael's Church was published in the Examiner. Another priest who was there for a couple of years and then moved to Bandra also wrote on Facebook that he cannot believe the good news.

The Cardinal ordered an inquiry to be conducted with regard to Marydell which was conducted by Justice Aguiar( Retd.) with regard to the Marydell deal and Fr. Hugh was given a clean chit in the said inquiry. In fact one of the priests attached then to St. Michael's Church and a number of years before that and who gave evidence in the inquiry that he was not informed about the deal by Fr. Hugh was asked by the undersigned in the presence of two other persons whether the previous Parish Priest used to inform him of all the deals which take place and he replied in the affirmative. The undersigned then told him that in the year 1996 when that priest was posted at St. Michael's , 3 shops were given on 11 months lease and which have not been taken back by the Church till date and that meant that he was aware of the deal and hence he too was involved. The said priest was quick to reply that he was not aware of the deal. This shows that Fr. Hugh was being targeted.

The Cardinal ordered another inquiry which was conducted by Fr. Felix D’Souza and Fr. John Rumao. As happens in any inquiry persons aware of certain facts are allowed to give evidence.The undersigned gave a written letter to Fr. Felix and Fr. Rumao that he would like to give evidence besides giving certain written submissions. The undersigned was told by Fr. Felix telephonically that he had closed the inquiry on the day the letter was given to him. This was two days before the actual date informed to laity.It appears that the inquiry officers did not want evidence to be given in Fr. Hugh’s favour.In fact priest’s are supposed to retire at 75 but Fr. John Rumao the inquiry officer was allowed to be Parish Priest even after he completed 75 years of age.

Now that Fr. Hugh is dead the same persons will sing his praises. This is the art of hypocrisy. It will take us years to master it. In Gods name everything is possible.

There are and will be very few priests who have Fr. Hugh’s fine qualities. He could remember persons names even after a number of years. He always helped the poor and needy who never went empty handed.He always thought about his workers. He had the guts which most Priests don't have. He was the troubleshooter for the archdiocese. He was willing to call a spade a spade.

May his soul rest in peace.

~A.M.Sodder [@ The Laitytude]
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Fr Hugh Fonseca, beloved brother of Denis/Sheila (Australia), Merwyn/Elsa (US), (Late) Rudy/Merle (Australia), Geoffrey/Maria (US), Mark/Eva (Australia), and Desiree(Rosebud)/Reg (Australia) and beloved uncle to Christine, Ian, Alan, Dave, Susie, Jon, Stephanie, Adrian, Keith, Andrew, Eric, Daniel, Brendan, Lauren and Jason, passed away very suddenly on June 16 in Mumbai.

*Funeral leaves Clergy Home, Bandra, Mumbai on Tuesday 21 June for Mass at 4 p.m. (IST) followed by burial at St. Andrew's Church, Bandra.

He was a shining light to many and loved by many more. We miss him terribly RIP.