Bangalore: Church Dedicated to Blessed Pope John Paul II Inaugurated

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 21: Archbishop of Bangalore Bernard Moras blessed and dedicated a church named after Blessed Pope John Paul II at Chanasandra, Tambuchetty Palya, in the outskirts of Bangalore on Saturday.

The beautifully built and tastefully decorated church happens to be the first and only one dedicated in the name of Pope John Paul, who was declared Blessed this year. Incidentally, declaring a person as Blessed is the first major step towards Sainthood.

Archbishop Moras, who had the rare honour of becoming the Bishop during the tenure of Pope John Paul, hoisted the flag, unveiled a plaque and cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the church to the faithful.

He led the large congregation of faithful in prayers before entering the church along with 50 plus priests. He conducted an elaborate ceremony including sprinkling of holy water in the entire church and on the faithful, burning of incense on the altar and all over the church, consecration of the altar with holy oil to mark the dedication.

In his sermon during a concelebrated Mass, the Archbishop took the faithful through Pope John Paul’s life from childhood till beatification. ''He was a man of prayer, loved all the bishops, priests and youth," the Archbishop said recalling his meeting the late Pope at least five times.

Pope John Paul was concerned about Indian Church and had personal relationship with each bishop and travelled extensively, the Archbishop said and explained that he was like a father to all and was a man loved by the whole world. He laid great emphasis on vocations, family life and the youth. He believed family is a foundation of the Church. If family is blessed the whole world will be blessed, the Archbishop said explaining the Pope’s teachings.

The Archbishop, who met Pope John Paul II was in 1979, said it was such a memorable occasion that he would never forget it as he had a meal with the Pope sitting at the right close to him. ''I still feel it a great blessing," the Archbishop said pointing out that Pope John Paul became a youth for the sake of the youth. He encouraged them and the youth loved him and paid much attention in shaping the future Universal Church.

''The Pope always stood for building a community of new Church. The faithful are the temple of God and unless Jesus lives in the hearts, how we can keep our hearts clean, quoting the Pope," the Archbishop said and presented an impression of Pope Benedict VI on Pope John Paul II, with whom he had spent over 20 years.

Archbishop Moras said many miracles are taking place with the intercession of the Pope and narrated how a person regained his eyesight and doctors certified that it was due to a miracle. The faithful of Chanasandra in Tambuchetty Palya in the city outskirts are privileged to have a church dedicated to Pope John Paul, the Archbishop said.

A large congregation of nuns and faithful were present at the ceremony, which was attended among others by the local councilor, Basavaraj. Archbishop invited all for a community meal. God’s plan was different and the heavy pouring rain soon after the Mass marred the fellowship meal. It was considered a continuous blessing.

The Vicar General of Bangalore Archdiocese Msgr S Jayanathan read out a formal decree to announce the appointment of Fr Alphonse Bhaskara as the first parish priest of the new church.