Fr Faustine Lobo new National Director for Pontifical Mission Society
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangalore, Jul 23: Mangalore diocesan priest Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo has been appointed as the National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies for India with effect from 1st September 2011 by the ‘Congregation for the Evangelization of People, Vatican. Pontifical Mission Society, which is a unit of the ‘Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples’ of the Vatican based in Rome, is a national level organization.
Fr Faustine is currently serving as the Public Relations Officer for the Church in Karnataka represented by the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRCBC) and also as the Coordinator for the 17 Commissions of the KRCBC. He also serves as a member of the newly established ‘Christian Community Development Council’, Government of Karnataka, which scrutinizes and sanctions funds for the Christian community.
Born on 22nd of April 1963 at Berva, Thumbe of Bantwal parish Fr Faustine did his early education in Madankap. He completed his PUC from ‘Sri Venkataramana Swamy College, Bantwal’ before graduating in BA from Manasagangotri, Mysore. A post graduate in Sociology Fr Faustine completed his Diploma in Social Development from the Coady International Institute, Canada. He also did his Diploma in Formation, certificate course in Journalism and certificate course in Participatory Approaches to Development, thus gaining vital knowledge and mastery over diverse subjects.
Fr Faustine had joined the St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu in 1981 and was ordained as priest in 1990 at the Milagres Church, Mangalore. Since becoming priest Fr Faustine has served in various capacities including as Director of Bhalki Mission, Bidar and as Asst Parish Priest at Our Lady of Dolours Church, Vittal and St Joseph’s Church Pezar.
He also served as Parish priest of Fatima Church, Miyapadav for a brief period, He has held several important portfolios at the diocesan level - as Asst Secretary and Secretary of CODP, Director Catholic Charities, Director RUSEMP Pakshekere, Director of St Joseph, the Worker Agricultural School, Vamanjoor, Director of Institute of Social Development, Nanthor. As Development Consultant of “Caritas India”, Karnataka Region he has helped to build Diocesan Service Societies of Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary, Belthangady and Gulbarga.
During his tenure as the Secretary of the CODP, he was instrumental in setting up the commercial complex for CODP in Nanthoor to make the CODP self reliant. He played a pivotal role in promoting the cause of the women through ‘Women Empowerment Programme’ and the protection and conservation of natural resources. He took keen interest in establishing the ‘Bandhavya’, a network of NGOs in Mangalore and the ‘Karnataka Griha Karmikara Abhivriddi Vedike’ for the welfare of the domestic workers.
Fr Faustine has been a renowned resource person on several subjects in Social Development and is known for his excellent communication skills. He was the only delegate from Karnataka to participate in the ‘Asian Mission Congress’ held at Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2006.
As Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in India, Fr Faustine L Lobo will be responsible for helping the cause of the missions at the national level. He also has to monitor the projects proposed and sanctioned by the congregation. Endowed with the rich experience he has gained in his diverse capacities at the diocese and under his able stewardship Fr Faustine will no doubt be an asset to the Pontifical Mission Service which he is going to serve as Director.