ANANTAPUR, India (UCAN) – About 80,000 people from a variety of religions paid tribute to Spanish missioner Vincent Ferrer at a state funeral on June 22.

The former Jesuit priest, who worked among the poor in southern India for more than 40 years, died of old age on June 19. More than 500,000 people in all paid homage to the former priest.
The 89-year-old missioner, popularly known as Father Ferrer, was buried in Bathlapalli, a village near Anantapur town in Andhra Pradesh state where he started his work among mostly dalit people.

Dalit are former “untouchables” in the Indian caste system.

He is survived by his Protestant wife Anne, son Moncho and daughters Tara and Yamuna.

Father Mummadi Joji Reddy, former vicar general of Kurnool diocese, led the funeral Mass along with 10 priests, including three Jesuits. Christian, Hindu and Muslim scriptures were read during the service.

A 100-member delegation from Spain also attended the funeral service.

The Andhra Pradesh state government declared a holiday on June 22 in Anantapur district where the missioner worked. It also gave him a state burial accompanied by gun salute.

Ferrer was born in Barcelona in 1920 and arrived in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1952 as a Jesuit priest. He left the priesthood in 1970 and traveled to drought-prone Anantapur. He then founded the Rural Development Trust that provides schools, healthcare, housing, development for women, ecology and water programs.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, in a condolence message, hailed the deceased missioner as “an icon of nobility, humility and veracity, who gave 56 years of relentless work to India.”

Bishop Moses D. Prakasam of Nellore said Father Ferrer was “a real Father.” The prelate told UCA News the missioner identified with the poorest of the poor and “his dedication and selfless works brought glory to his organization and to his donors in Spain.”

Jose Bonono, speaker of the Spanish parliament who led the delegation sent by his country, said Father Ferrer was an honor to Spain as he alleviated poverty in a distant land.