(March 05, 2012) Indian Bishop Stephen Tiru of Khunti in the eastern state of Jharkhand,
passed away on Friday. Suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, the 74-year
old bishop passed away at his residence in Khunti. More than 10,000 people attended
the funeral service on Saturday, presided over by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop
of Ranchi. Some 11 bishops and more than 500 priests joined the cardinal at the funeral
Mass. A condolence message from Pope Benedict XVI was read at the 3-hour funeral
service. In his homily, Cardinal Toppo paid tribute to his seminary companion saying
that even though illness made his life painful “he always smiled and welcomed people
heartily." Bishop Tiru was laid to rest in an open ground near an incomplete cathedral.
Born on Dec. 1, 1937, at Sardikel Village, Bichna Parish of what is Khunti diocese
today, Bishop Tiru was ordained priest on May 4, 1969, in Rome. Pope John Paul II
appointed him Bishop of Dumka Diocese on April 18, 1986, where he served for nine
years, until the new diocese of Khunti was created on April 1, 1995, and Pope John
Paul transferred Bishop Tiru to Khunti as its first bishop.