He is our first missionary to die in one of the New International Missions. He was a young confrere with a great missionary spirit and an extraordinary love for the poor. ( from Fr. Gregory Gay )
Rome , March 5, 2005
The 5th of March 2005 (at 8:10 am Bolivian time) Fr. Franc Pavlic, died. He was the Local Superior of the International Mission in El Alto (Bolivia).
Franc was born in Ljubjana (Slovenia) September 26, 1965 and was a member of the Slovenian Province. He entered the Internal Seminary in Belgrade, September 15, 1985; he took vows on April 8, 1991 and was ordained June 29, 1992.
Before arriving in El Alto, Franc worked 6 years in the Slovenian mission in Argentina. In 2000, he offered to go the missions and was sent to El Alto. He was named Superior in May, 2001. During these years he worked in the parish in Italaque. He was untiringly dedicated to the mission’s work, living a simple and demanding life style. He occupied himself, as did companions, not only with the preaching of the Gospel, but also with social works and education.
Sunday night, February 27, after a tiring day of work, he felt extremely weak. The confreres took him to Sacred Heart Hospital in El Alto, where he was admitted. He was diagnosed with insufficient platelets. His condition was serious. In the Hospital he suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and his situation worsened.
The lack of platelets made surgery impossible. In order to in crease them a blood transfusion was necessary. Donors were searched out but nonetheless, on March 4th, around midday, his brain stopped functioning, although his heart continued to beat, but each time weaker. On the morning of the 5th Franc died.
He is our first missionary to die in one of the New International Missions. He was a young confrere with a great missionary spirit and an extraordinary love for the poor.
May he rest in peace.
G. Gregory Gay, C. M.
Superior General
