Belagavi : Senior Priest from Belgaum Diocese Rev Fr Rayappa Handiaver who was undergoing treatment for injuries he suffered in a road mishap on Jan 2 breathed his last at SDM Hospital at Dharwad at around 8am on Friday. The priest was 58.

Fr Rayappa known for his social servces met with a major accident on January 2 and was admitted to SDM Hospital, Hubballi with severe head and face injuries.

The Belgaum Diocese said Fr Rayappa was returning from Byadagi in his car Sunday evening (Jan 2) after attending a Holy Communion mass at St John Vianni Church at Byadagi. Due to poor visibility, his car hit a tractor laden with sugarcane from rare side for which he suffered major head and face injuries. He was lying unconscious on the road for some time causing huge blood loss. Later he was admitted to SDM Hospital at Dharwad. His condition was stable for two days. Meanwhile, he suffered a minor heart attack Thursday morning and his condition worsened and he breathed his last today morning.

He was a parish priest at Mother of God Church, Ranebennur since five years.The last rites on the mortal remains of Fr Rayappa to be held in Belagavi. The date and time is yet to be decided. Fr Rayappa was a diligent priest known for his commitment to his mission.

Bishop of Belgaum Rev Dr Derek Fernandes has expressed shock over the untimely demise of Fr Rayappa. Bishop Fernandes in his condolence message said “ He was a wonderful priest, devoted to his work, a committed and selfless social worker who had rendered excellent social work in the diocese. He was also a great pastor very prayerful deeply concerned about people, especially the poor and the marginalized. At the time of accident too he was returning after offering prayer services when he met with a fatal accident. The Diocese has lost one of the finest priests who was popular among the people for his commitment. ”

Fr. Rayappa Joseph Handiaver was born on 28th April 1963 in Tumarikop, in Dharwad district. After competing priesthood studies at St. Pius College, Mumbai, he was ordained a Priest on April 6, 1994.