GOMES, William Z.

Bishop William Z. Gomes was born August 26, 1916, in Karachi (then British India). He graduated from St. Patrick's High School and in 1937 he entered Urban College in Rome for the Propagation of the Faith for priestly studies. He witnessed the horrors of World War II, from 1939 to 1945. William was ordained priest with 24 others on December 22, 1941, in the College Chapel. He obtained a doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in 1943. Towards the end of the war, on February 2, he was brought out of Rome, by the British High Command with 12 other priests and nuns, on March 2, 1945 he arrived in Bombay. He served in the Archdiocese of Bombay for several years. He was consecrated Bishop with 13 other Prelates of the Mission World by Pope John the XXIII, on May 21, 1961. Bishop Gomes held many appointments, including Bishop of Poona, from 1967 to 1976. He attended International Conferences for ecumenism at Rome, London, Malta and also at Bangkok for the World Bible Society. He met Mother Teresa often during his years in India. Bishop Gomes came to America in 1974 and settled in Manchester, New Hampshire, serving the people at St. Patrick's Church. He retired in Scottsdale in 1981, with pastoral ministry at St. Joan of Arc and St. Joseph, of Phoenix, also Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Daniel the Prophet of Scottsdale. He was the author of 4 books. All his retirement years, he lived with an Irish Catholic family, Ann Marie Corriveau and daughters Julie, Amy and the late Roger Corriveau. He saw the children become graduates, who still called him "Uncle Willie". May he rest in peace. He was predeceased by a brother Tiburtius of Pakistan. He is also survived by his sister Elfrieda Lobo of India and several nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday, March 10th followed by "Rosary" at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Visitation Thursday, March 11th followed by "Evening Prayer" at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection Thursday, March 11th at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3801 East Greenway Rd., Phoenix, Arizona. Private entombment will be held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to thank RTA Hospice for their loving and compassionate care and the many people who have supported our family. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to a local chapter of St. Vincent de Paul. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, Arizona. Published in the Arizona Republic on 3/7/2004.