Mangalore : Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Aloysius Paul D’Souza said that the funeral of Archbishop Most Rev Dr Ambrose Madtha who was the Papal Nuncio to Ivory Coast will be held at 10am on Dec 15, Saturday at Holy Redeemer Church, Belthangady, in his native parish. He died of a road accident in Ivory Coast on Dec 8, Saturday, when he was traveling back from d’Odienne Diocese in Ivory Coast after a priestly ordination.

Speaking at the press meet held at Bishop’s House on Dec 13, Thursday, he said that after all the Vatican and international procedures the body of late Archbishop will arrive from Abidjan the capital of Ivory Coat to Mangalore at around 10 am on Dec 14, Friday. It will be brought by a special flight of the president of Ivory Coast Alassane Quattara.

The body will be accompanied by eleven high profile officials of the State of Ivory Coast. The delegation will be led by SE Sign. Charles Koffi Biby, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ivory Coast. The Nuncio of India Most Rev Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio will arrive in Mangalore on Dec 13, Thursday.

A special mass will be held for the repose of the late Archbishop at Rosario Cathedral at 4 pm.

The body of late Archbishop will arrive in a special and beautiful casket with zinc plating with a glass window through which the body could be viewed by the public.

The Pope Benedict 16th has sent condolence message to the family members of late Archbishop Ambrose Madtha. The secretary of State of Vatican Cardinal Tarcisio Bartone has sent condolence message to the family members of late Archbishop Ambrose Madtha.

Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will guide the local arrangements of the funeral.