Bimal Das is no more a street child, nor is he Christian. But the 30-year-old stood inside a New Delhi church and wept as he joined funeral prayers for Salesian Father Antony Thaiparambil.

Das flew in from Kolkata to attend the funeral of Father Thaiparambil, who rescued him from a street in the eastern Indian city when he was barely six years old.

“I have not seen God, nor have I seen my parents. But if God is there, I am sure he looks like this man,” he said after the ceremony.

The priest helped at least 80,000 children like Das to leave the streets and secure a decent life, Salesian officials said.

Father Thaiparambil began his work with street children in Kolkata, three decades ago in 1985. Das was one of the initial beneficiaries of his mission.

The 84-year-old priest died in New Delhi of an age-related illness on March 19. About 500 people including former street children attended his funeral officiated by Arch-bishop Anil Couto of Delhi and retired Archbishop Vincent Cocessao of Delhi.