Obituary — Fr Beniamino Kaloudau
CATHOLIC priest, Reverend Father Beniamino Kaloudau recently passed away in his sleep on April 12, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Parish presbytery in Lami.
He was 67. According to the Archdiocese of Suva Facebook page Father Beni was known for his commitment and zeal for pastoral ministry.
Head of the Catholic church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong described Father Beni as a priest with a no-nonsense approach to implementing diocesan directives.
Although known for his straight-forward nature, he had a tender loving heart.
Father Beni was known to many as a “giant with a gentle heart”.
He was born as Beniamino Kaloudau in Burelevu, Tailevu on November 14, 1954.
He attended Natovi Catholic School (1961-1968), St John’s College (1969-1976), Corpus Christi College (1973-1975) and the Pacific Regional Seminary (1979-1985).
He was ordained to the priesthood by the late Archbishop Petero Mataca in 1986 in Natovi.
Father Beni served in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Suva from 1986 - 1987, St Andrew’s Parish in Savarekareka, Savusavu from 1987 to 1993.
From February 1993 until April 1993 he served in the St Elizabeth Parish, Vudibasoga, Labasa.
Father Beni was the acting vicar general for the Archdiocese of Suva from April 26, 1993 to 1996.
He was appointed by Archbishop Mataca as the vicar general in May 1996-2013 and was the parish priest in the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lami since February, 2010. Father Beni also served as chaplain to the Catechists and Catholic Women’s League.
He hadn’t been well in recent years and was hospitalised numerous times.
Rest in peace, Father Beni, a good and faithful servant.
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Father Beni Kaloudau.