Jesuit Archbishop Emeritus Pascal Topno of Bhopal died in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 12:30 am at Holy Family Hospital in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, eastern India.
He was 93. Funeral details are awaited.
Born on June 15, 1932, in the village of Kcneloea, Jharkhand, Archbishop Topno was raised in a devout Catholic family, where daily evening prayer was an essential part of life. He joined the Society of Jesus on June 20, 1953, and began his novitiate at Sitagarh.
Later, on July 30, 1965, he traveled to Belgium for his theological formation and received his Jesuit priest ordination. After completing his tertianship, he served at Loyola School, Kunkuri, in multiple roles, including teacher, rector, and principal.
Topno went on to serve as Provincial of the Ranchi Jesuit Province. He assumed the role of Bishop of Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh on January 18, 1986, and remained in that position until June 15, 1994.
On May 20, 1994, he received his appointment as Archbishop of Bhopal, and on July 17 of the same year, he officially took office. During his 13-year tenure, he shepherded the archdiocese with simplicity, wisdom, and deep spiritual insight.
He retired on June 15, 2007, his 76th birthday, and later chose to reside at the Khrist Milan Ashram in Namnakala, Ambikapur, starting in June 2013.
The church remembers Topno as a humble shepherd, a spiritual guide, and a dedicated Jesuit who lived for God and His people. -Stephen Alathara
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