ADIEU FR JOHN LASRADO

loss in soccer parlance can cause heartburn to the vanquished but a sudden death in real life can be heartbreaking to anyone. But if you said that Fr John Lasrado died a sudden death… you must be joking. But that is sadly the case. Fr John Lasrado, parish priest of Christ the King, Mirik and the former dean of Kalimpong made a quick and sudden exit from the world stage on Christmas Day leaving his audience dumbstruck, dismayed and confused about the whole plot. The show will never be the same again. It was as if Fr John was called up to fill the vacancy created by Jesus since he came down to redeem the world.

Fr John came to Kalimpong town on 24th December with an abnormally inflated stomach and heavily swollen legs to show himself to the doctor. After seeing the results of the various tests conducted on him the doctors advised him to get admitted in the hospital immediately. However, Fr John told them that he would come only after the Christmas celebrations and Sunday Mass in his parish. As he visited a friend’s house soon after, he experienced breathlessness and fever all of a sudden. For a few hours he was admitted in a nursing home in Kalimpong but doctors advised that he be taken to Siliguri immediately for better treatment. On the way to Siliguri, he vomited and became unconscious. He was rushed to a private hospital where he went into coma and gradually started bleeding from the mouth. Bishop Thomas D’Souza of Bagdogra anointed him with the oil of the sick at midday on Christmas day. He breathed his last at 6.45 p.m. The cause of his death has been identified by doctors as hemorrhagic shock leading to asystole leading to cardio-respiratory arrest. His body was taken to Navjeevan Hospital in Gayaganga where it was embalmed and kept in the mortuary.

On 27th December the body of Fr John was brought to Kalimpong and was kept at Mary Mother of God Church, Relli Road where hundreds of people came to pay their last respects to the departed priest. In the meantime, the parents of Fr John together with his brother and sister arrived from Mangalore. His own priest brother who is a diocesan priest in Silchar also arrived. On 28th the body was taken solemnly in procession through the town to St. Teresa Parish Church, 8th Mile for burial. Shopkeepers spontaneously downed shutters as a mark of respect for the departed soul. Over five thousand people attended the funeral service which is an exceptionally large number for a funeral in a small town like Kalimpong. Bishop Stephen Lepcha presided over the funeral Mass and over a hundred priests concelebrated with him. In his homily Bishop Stephen highlighted some of the unique qualities of Fr John like his love for the poor, generosity and obedience. Fr Felix Baretto, the VG conducted the valedictory rite and Fr Lawrence Monteiro, the dean of Kalimpong performed the burial rites.

Fr John Lasrado who was born on 31st December 1964 in Mangalore came to Darjeeling as a missionary in 1981. He was ordained priest in 1992. He served as parish priest in Sangsay for six years and Relli Road for nine years. At the time of his death he was in his fourth year as parish priest of Mirik (Algarah). As a priest he endeared himself to one and all. He had a charming personality which made him immensely popular among all kinds of people. Even though sometimes he hobnobbed with the rich and the mighty in the social echelon Fr John identified himself with the poor. Eating simple food with bare hands and often sleeping on the floor were his ways of identifying himself with the poor. He, however, lived his life on fast track. Like the modern day version of Twenty20 cricket Fr John achieved much in a short term. There was never a dull moment in his life. He died the way he lived – without troubling anyone. There will be many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ regarding his death but that will not bring back Fr John. His memory will live on.


Tea Leaves would like to thank all the people who made Fr John’s funeral and burial services so beautiful and dignified. Thanks to all the government officials, the police department and the media personnel of Kalimpong. Special thanks to the parishioners of Relli Road and 8th Mile who worked so hard together to make Fr John’s final journey memorable one for all. Adieu dear friend John. We love you and will never forget you.