Former CCBI Official Sr. Lilly Francis Passes Away

Nagpur 23 May 2026 (CCBI): Sr. Lilly Francis SMMI (76), former Executive Secretary of the Commission for Women of the CCBI, passed away on Saturday, 23 May 2026, at Nagpur.

Her funeral service will be held at the Mary Immaculate Convent Chapel, Nagpur, on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at 9.30 a.m.

She was the Secretary from 2017-2018. She also served the CBCI Council for Women from 2004 to 2011. She was widely known for her pioneering work in women’s empowerment, counselling, social development, and pastoral ministry.

Belonging to the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Mediatrix Immaculate (SMMI), Sr. Lilly Francis was born in Kerala in 1949. She obtained a Postgraduate Degree in Social Work (MSW) and a Degree in Law (LL.B.) from Nagpur. She also pursued theological studies at Santiago University in Chile and at Mater Dei Institute, Goa.

She began her missionary ministry in Latin America, serving for three years as a community organizer among the poor and marginalized. Later, she served as a Religious Formator for the SMMI Sisters and contributed significantly to the formation of young religious women.

Sr. Lilly Francis was the founding Directress of the “Vishwodaya Institute of Social Work and Women Development” in Nagpur and served there for eleven years. Through the institute, she promoted women’s development, social awareness, counselling, and community empowerment.

She coordinated the Nagpur Diocesan Women’s Commission for seven years and also served as Coordinator of the Prison Ministry in the Archdiocese of Nagpur for two years. She was actively involved in counselling families and individuals in distress and played a key role in promoting interreligious dialogue in the archdiocese.

A prolific writer and advocate for women’s dignity, Sr. Lilly authored seven books focusing on women’s empowerment, peace, gender justice, and the role of women in Church and society. She also conducted numerous seminars and training programmes on women’s empowerment and family life across the country.

By Dr. Stephen Alathara