By Mathias Mazinga

THE Superiors of the Catholic Society of Saint Vincent have allowed the body of the late Fr. Joseph Kuruppampa-rambil (a.k.a Fr. Bill) to be buried in Uganda.

According to Fr. John Rathappily, the director of the Vicentian Prayer Centre in Entebbe, the deceased wrote a will to be buried in the country, irrespective of where and when his death would occur.

“It has always been Fr. Bill’s wish to be buried here. When he came here 15 years ago, he was touched by the immense love and generosity of Ugandans and their deep religious conviction. Our Superiors in India have agreed to the burial,” he said.

Fr. Bill, 81, an Indian Catholic priest/exorcist and international preacher, died on Friday at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu after a heart attack.

He will be buried outside the Miraculous Medal Shrine at the Vicentian centre on Wednesday after a requiem mass to be led by the Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. The mass will start at 2:00pm.

Fr. Bill was invited to Uganda by Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala. He preached at several retreats and healed thousands.