Centenarian who inspires all
Camil Parkhe
Sakaal Times
Wednesday, October 01st, 2008 AT 10:10 AM
Tags: centenarian Joseph Neuner
...
All’s well: Joseph Neuner
PUNE: The German who left his country 70 years back to make Pune his home, Fr Joseph Neuner, who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 19, is one of the few centenarian Puneites who have seen the city changing over the years.
The priest with a sharp mind and a soft heart had taught theology at the De Nobili College in the city for several years. Some of his students are now bishops in India and abroad. Born in Feldkirch in Austria on August 19, 1908, he was ordained a priest in 1936 and came to India in 1938.
During the Second World War, he along with other German nationals in India, was imprisoned and detained first in Ahmednagar and later in Dehradun.
Fr Neuner was having evening tea at his residence, Sanjeevan Ashram, on Dhole Patil Road when this correspondent called on him on the eve of the Senior Citizens Day.
Being one of the experts from India who participated in the Second Vatican Council held in Rome from 1963-65, he had also drafted the speech for Pope Paul VI when the pontiff addressed a multi-religious gathering in Mumbai in 1964.
“Even at this age, the centenarian is very particular about his daily routine exercise and likes to walk around with the help of a walker,” says Fr Edwin Sequeira (80), a companion of Fr Neuner at Sanjeevan Ashram. “He also likes to eat sweets, especially chocolates,” he added.
Fr Neuner wrote his autobiography ‘Memories of my life’ when he completed 95 years in 2003.
“The clergyman enjoys normal diet, including non-vegetarian. Two years back, he broke his hip bone after a fall and since then moves around with a walker. Although now he is hard of hearing, he detests the idea of using a hearing equipment,” said Fr Sequeira, adding, “He keeps himself abreast of happenings around the world and likes to be part of the conversation at the dining table.”
Camil Parkhe
Sakaal Times
Wednesday, October 01st, 2008 AT 10:10 AM
Tags: centenarian Joseph Neuner
...
All’s well: Joseph Neuner
PUNE: The German who left his country 70 years back to make Pune his home, Fr Joseph Neuner, who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 19, is one of the few centenarian Puneites who have seen the city changing over the years.
The priest with a sharp mind and a soft heart had taught theology at the De Nobili College in the city for several years. Some of his students are now bishops in India and abroad. Born in Feldkirch in Austria on August 19, 1908, he was ordained a priest in 1936 and came to India in 1938.
During the Second World War, he along with other German nationals in India, was imprisoned and detained first in Ahmednagar and later in Dehradun.
Fr Neuner was having evening tea at his residence, Sanjeevan Ashram, on Dhole Patil Road when this correspondent called on him on the eve of the Senior Citizens Day.
Being one of the experts from India who participated in the Second Vatican Council held in Rome from 1963-65, he had also drafted the speech for Pope Paul VI when the pontiff addressed a multi-religious gathering in Mumbai in 1964.
“Even at this age, the centenarian is very particular about his daily routine exercise and likes to walk around with the help of a walker,” says Fr Edwin Sequeira (80), a companion of Fr Neuner at Sanjeevan Ashram. “He also likes to eat sweets, especially chocolates,” he added.
Fr Neuner wrote his autobiography ‘Memories of my life’ when he completed 95 years in 2003.
“The clergyman enjoys normal diet, including non-vegetarian. Two years back, he broke his hip bone after a fall and since then moves around with a walker. Although now he is hard of hearing, he detests the idea of using a hearing equipment,” said Fr Sequeira, adding, “He keeps himself abreast of happenings around the world and likes to be part of the conversation at the dining table.”
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