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General InformationAt 2:30AM, March 14th 2008 the world renowned speaker and missionary Fr. Joseph K. Bill passed away. His Funeral is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 19th, in Entebbe, Uganda at 2PM (Uganda time).
Location: 1.5km from airport/vincentian house Contact: Director of the Vicentian Prayer Centre in Entebbe Fr. John Rathappily Phone: +256 782809801 Email: rathappilly@yahoo.com About Fr. Bill
Father Joseph K. Bill, V.C. was a devoted priest of the Vincentian Congregation, and a gifted preacher who was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. He has been a missionary in East Africa since 1992 and also travels throughout Europe, the United States and Canada, preaching, celebrating healing Masses and holding retreats for bishops, priests and lay people. Through his priesthood and spiritual gifts, God’s personal love has penetrated and transforms millions of hearts – healing many people in countless ways.
Father Bill was born on February 23, 1928 and was ordained in 1958. He worked in various capacities as a priest in his home diocese of Kerala, culminating in a long term administrative position within the Church.
At the age of forty-eight, he suffered two heart attacks, leaving him bed-ridden for over forty-five days. His doctor warned him, because of his condition, not to undertake any strenuous physical activity (including climbing stairs). Above all, he was not to preach! During this time, he was invited to participate in a retreat organized by the Charismatic movement where 160 priests including two bishops would be participating.
At the end of the retreat, a bishop, the leader of the group, invited Father Bill to receive personal prayer. As the bishop was praying over him, Father Bill looked up and saw not the bishop, but Jesus Christ. A major transformation occurred within Father Bill through this experience and his heart was completely healed physically (and spiritually). [“Jesus gave me a new heart,” Father says.] Subsequent tests by his doctors proved beyond doubt that he had completely recovered, with no signs of ever having had a heart attack. He was able to demonstrate for his superiors that he had fully recovered by climbing a nearby hill. The hill he decided to climb is the famous mount at Malayattoor on the banks of the river Periyar where the footprints of the Apostle Thomas can still be seen. It is a very steep and difficult 372 meter trek, even for a healthy person. Thereafter, he sought permission from his superiors to be relieved of administrative duties and to concentrate his future activities on preaching.
Deciding to study faith healing, he traveled to Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA in 1981. It was at the end of his training that the first healing miracle occurred: A paralyzed person, whom he was praying over, was immediately restored to full health, stood up and walked. Until now, at the age of 80 he has been conducting continual six day silent retreats, healing Masses and popular missions all over the world – 365 days a year. Father Bill realized through his personal experience that Jesus needs his hands and his tongue to bring Christ’s Gospel message to the world, a need to which Father Bill’s response was, “Not only my hands and tongue, but I give you my whole body.” Online reportsSunday Vision - Report |
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