Priest killed when struck by vehicle
Community grieving tragic death of Father John Bosco
A small community on the Northern Peninsula is grieving the loss of a well-loved Catholic priest. Father John Bosco was only one week away from returning to his home in India for his brother’s wedding when he was struck by a vehicle late Wednesday evening.
“It’s a shock to all of us,” said Bishop Peter Joseph Hundt, of the Corner Brook and Labrador Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church.
“He walked three times a day in that area, where there was very seldom vehicles at all. We can’t believe this could have happened.”
Bosco came to the diocese in November 2014, and began his work in Bird Cove in February the following year. He spent most of his time in Newfoundland in the area.
He was known to travel home to India each summer. Hundt says while the residents of Bird Cove are deeply saddened by his loss, they are particularly sad for the family — with his brother’s wedding only a few days away. Bosco was struck by a vehicle while talking a routine walk.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Flower’s Cove responded to the accident around 8 p.m.
Police say Bosco died while en route to hospital. No one else was injured in the accident and the police say their investigation is ongoing. Bosco was known to enjoy his time in Bird Cove more with each passing year, and left a lasting impression on the community.
“Father Bosco was a good priest, a friendly priest, and we believe that he’s gone home to eternal life,” said Hundt. “The grief here is not for him, but for us because we’ve lost a friend.”