When the Lord gives a new priest to a Province, he makes available two more hands to serve in his vineyard; but when the Lord takes away a priest, active in pastoral ministry, it seems like losing twenty hands! these were the choked words of a heartbroken and teary-eyed Father Clive Telles, SDB, provincial of the Salesian Panjim province who spoke at the requiem mass of Late Father Lino Lopes, Salesian priest of the Panjim Province, who was snatched away by death at the age of 60 years on the Octorber 30, 2024. Loved very much as a friend, companion, confrere, brother, son and a loving pastor of God’s flock, Father Lopes was a true blessing for many.

Father Lino Lopes suffered a heart attack on October 29, 2024 afternoon at Saint John Bosco Church, Sirsi where he served as Rector and Parish Priest with much dedication and pastoral zeal. He was shifted to Dharwad, Karnataka for better cardiac care. But he surrendered his spirit unto the Lord as the doctors tried to revive him upon his arrival in Dharwad. Hailing from Candolim, Bardez Goa Father Lopes was a Salesian for 39 years and a priest unto the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd for 28 years.


The funeral of Father Lopes was held on November 1, 2024, the Solemnity of All Saints, at 2.30 PM in the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, at Don Bosco, Panjim and was well attended by two Bishops, his Salesian confreres from the Panjim and Mumbai Provinces, 90 priests (religious and priests from the Archdiocese of Goa, Sindhudurg Diocese and Karwar dioceses), his bereaved family members, ex-students, boarders, numerous friends and admirers, teachers from the schools he served and parishioners of Kudal (Maharashtra), Tuem (Goa) and Sirsi (Karnataka).

The Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Goa, Dr Simao Fernandes presided at the Eucharist and highlighted the element of service and priestly deeds of Father Lino. He also conveyed the condolences offered by His Eminence, Archbishop Filip Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman to the bereaved family members of Father Lino and the Salesian Provincial of Panjim Konkan and confreres. During the homily, Father Francis Silveira, the economer of Panjim Province and the companion of Father Lino, shared about the unassuming ways and goodness of life of Father Lino who was always available to people.

Speaking at the end of the mass, Bishop Emeritus, Sindhudurg Diocese, Bishop Allywn Baretto recounted his interactions with Father Lino as parish priest of Kudal Church. Knowing him as a friend and a zealous pastor of souls. Bishop Baretto expressed confidence that Father Lino would surely enjoy heavenly bliss himself as he had helped so many of his flock to live holy lives.

Salesian Mumbai Province, Provincial Father Savio Silveira, a companion of Father Lino expressed his gratitude to Father Lino for serving in many institutions of the Mumbai Province even in very challenging missions in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. On the level of personal friendship, he shared a whatsapp message he had received from Father Lino on April 2024 wherein Father Lino acknowledged God’s marvellous plans in his life and the gift of healing that he had received from Lord Jesus. Father Savio reminded everyone of what a lay friend-journalist had written upon learning about the death of Father Lino Lopes, his piece was titled, Walking with a Saint.

Salesian Panjim Province, Provincial, Father Clive Telles, acknowledged all the prayers and condolence messages that he had received from numerous people, all of whom stressed on the holiness of life and the simplicity of Father Lopes. He was a man who bore witness to Divine Providence and it was through great trust in the Lord, that Father Lopes was able to put up structures and buildings, Father Telles stressed further. Father Lino would always add a personal touch to the hospitality that he showed towards the confreres of his community, and all friends and visitors who came to meet him, he recalled.

Vice Rector, Assistant Parish Priest and Principal of Don Bosco School, Sirsi, Father Sandesh Fernandes, highlighted the servant-leadership qualities of Father Lopes as Rector and Parish Priest of Sirsi. He recalled how Father Lino would always feel assured with the presence of his community members and would affectionately call him, Baba.

The requiem mass was graced by dignitaries such as, General Councillor for Youth Pastoral, Father Miguel Angel Garcia, Father Savio Silveira, provincial of Mumbai Province, Father Lourdusamy Don Bosco, provincial of Chennai Province, Father Felix Fernandes, ex-provincial of Panjim Province, Father Anacletus D’Mello, Dean of Sirsi Deanery and many others.

Provincial Secretary, Salesian Province of Panjim, Father Joel D’Souza, proposed the vote of thanks and thanked all involved making elaborate arrangements for the final farewell mass for Father Lino. He expressed the gratitude of the Province to the family of Father Lino Lopes, and the Communities of Don Bosco Panjim and Fatorda.


The burial was held at Don Bosco, Fatorda Goa. The Salesians of Panjim Konkan Province carried their dear confrere Father Lino Lopes to the Don Bosco Chapel at Fatorda. Father Anacletus D Mello, dean of Sirsi deanery led the prayers at the Fatorda Chapel. As the parishioners of Sirsi who had arrived in three buses for the funeral, took time to reach Fatorda from Don Bosco, Panjim Father Anacletus led the chaplet of the Divine Mercy, the favourite devotion of Father Lino. Later on, speaking before leading the prayers he revealed that Father Lino would call him his, Spiritual Dhobi as he was his confessor and spiritual director.

Father Sandesh Fernandes, led the final commendation in the Salesian Cemetery at Fatorda. With flowers and tears everyone bid farewell to their beloved son, brother, friend, pastor and shepherd, FATHER LINO LOPES.
His life may be summed up with these words from scripture, You called, Lord… and I answered.