Former Kolkata Diocese Bishop Rev PSP Raju Passes Away at 82
Kolkata: Rev PSP Raju, the former bishop of the Kolkata Diocese of the Church of North India, died on Saturday at his residence in Ballygunge Place. He was 82 years old.
Raju is survived by his wife Leena Gonsalves, daughter Ruth, and son Rajiv. His daughter Ruth shared that her father passed away peacefully at 12:30 am. "Though he had diabetes and related health issues, he was fine last evening, playing a game of cards with his grandchildren," she said. Raju's son, a psychiatrist based in Scotland, was visiting at the time.
Final Moments and Funeral Arrangements
According to Ruth, her father ate dinner, participated in the family prayer, and retired for the day. "He woke up saying he was feeling uneasy. By the time we took him to the hospital, he was gone. Everything happened in a matter of two-and-a-half minutes," she recounted.
The funeral service is scheduled for Sunday at 2 pm at St John's Church, with interment following at 3 pm at the Lower Circular Road Cemetery.
A Life of Service and Controversy
Born on June 3, 1943, in Gudivada, a village in Andhra Pradesh, Raju attended a local school and was largely self-taught. He was sent to Kolkata by the Diocese of Andhra to study a bachelor's in divinity at Bishop's College. It was during this period that he met his wife, Leena, an alumna of St Paul's College.
Raju began his ecclesiastical career as an assistant priest at St Paul's Cathedral before becoming the priest of St Thomas' Church. He later returned to St Paul's Cathedral as the priest and also served at St Thomas', Union Chapel, and St John's Church. In 1999, he was appointed the bishop of the Church of North India's Diocese of Calcutta.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. Between 2004 and 2007, Raju found himself embroiled in disputes and was eventually removed from the diocese. He faced legal action over allegations of illegally demolishing parts of the Bishop House. Despite these challenges, his daughter Ruth defended his character, stating, "My father stood tall, always. He knew he was doing the right thing. He was an upright man."
Personal Tributes and Legacy
Gerry Arathoon, former chief executive and secretary of the CISCE, paid tribute to Raju, saying, "Rev Raju was a very faithful friend and a true man of God. I served under him for five years as the principal of St Thomas' Church School, Howrah."
Raju was also remembered as an avid reader who enjoyed translations of works by Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, his favorite writers. His life was marked by a deep commitment to his faith and community, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him.
