Peter de Noronha

Chevalier Peter Bertram Cypriano Castellino de Noronha KSG, CE (April 19, 1897–July 24, 1970) was a well known businessman, philanthropist and civil servant of Kanpur, India. He was also knighted by Pope Paul VI in 1965 for his work for the Christian community in India.

Religious pursuits

A devout Roman Catholic, his major contribution was through the Legion of Mary and became the first Indian to become a Legion envoy in the late 1930s. It was due to his efforts that the Legion spread over North India across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In 1962 he resigned from the Legion due to declining health. He singlehandedly ran the Catholic Information Centre and spread the Gospel.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Legion of Mary - 1930s - North India - Uttar Pradesh - Madhya Pradesh - Rajasthan - 1962 - Gospel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1965 Pope Paul VI knighted him with the Order of St. Gregory the Great for meritorious services rendered to the country and the Catholic Church. He was also awarded the gold medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontificia.

Related Topics:
1965 - Order of St. Gregory the Great - Pro Ecclesia et Pontificia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peter de Noronha died on July 24, 1970 after ailing for some time. His death saw condolence messages from all around the world and in India. Among them were from the then President of India, Varahagiri Venkata Giri; former president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan; the governor of Uttar Pradesh, the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Gracias, and the then Information Broadcasting Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, (later to be the Prime Minister of India).

Related Topics:
President of India - Varahagiri Venkata Giri - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan - Archbishop of Bombay - Cardinal Gracias - Inder Kumar Gujral - Prime Minister of India

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His funeral was attended by six hundred city residents despite being during working hours and he was buried in the Cantonment Cemetery.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~