Brazilian Elder Dies from Church Building Fall

JUNDIAÍ, BRAZIL (PRWEB) October 13, 2000 -- After a month-long hospitalization, Francisco Costa Neto passed away Sunday, October 8, from cardiac arrest. He was one of four elders ordained February 20 in the Jundiaí church.

Francisco fell from the high roof of the congregation's building onto a concrete sidewalk while replacing broken roofing tiles September 5. It is supposed he blacked out or lost his footing. He fell face first and suffered crushed vertabrae and damaged internal organs. Evangelist Paulo Bottaro was with him at the time of the accident and called for paramedics.

In a September surgery, several vertabrae in his neck were replaced with metal components to permit head movement.

The funeral was held Monday, October 9, at 4 p.m., with brethren present from several cities. His parents and several brothers traveled from the distant state of Tocantins, arriving just in time for the burial.

The other three elders, Jose Maria de Oliveira, Eduardo Favoretto and Alexandre Cesar Pestana, lead songs and prayers in the municipal funeral home. Bottaro read a Biblical passage and spoke a
message of comfort to family and friends.

Francisco's wife Maria was present at his death. They have two children Domenico and Veronica.

Since his ordination in February, Francisco's shepherding influenced many in the church. Even during his hospitalization, he showed interest in everyone's spiritual condition and encouraged brethren, friends, andhospital employees.

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