Bangalore: Archbishop Bernard Moras Meets Pope Benedict XVI

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 7: Archbishop Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore and President, Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops' Council, had a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican during his ad limina visit.

'Ad Limina' is the short form of the Latin expression, ''Ad Limina Aposolorum,'' meaning a visit ''to the threshold of the Apostles" Sts Peter and Paul, who are buried in the Eternal City.

It is a regulation visit, which all heads of the Dioceses are required to make every five years reporting on the state of their jurisdiction. The object of the visit is above all to show the proper reverence for the successor of St Peter, to acknowledge practically his universal jurisdiction by giving an account of the Church, to receive his admonitions and counsels and thus bind more closely the members of the Church to the Successor of St Peter.

During his visit, Archbishop offered the Pope a shawl, a garland and a memento. He also expressed respect, love and obedience of the People of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and the entire Karnataka State.

The Archbishop apprised the Pope of the recent attacks on the churches in the Archdiocese of Bangalore and in Karnataka. ''The Pope is quite aware of the happenings in Karnataka and assured his concern, sympathy and prayerful support," according to a statement issued by the Archbishop's office.

The Archbishop also informed the Pope about the different activities of the Archdiocese, especially the Kristhostava-2007 in Bangalore and said the Pope expressed his happiness on the efforts put in by the Church in Karnataka to make the Message of Christ relevant both for Christians and other faith people.

Archbishop Bernard Moras also explained to His Holiness about the Karnataka Region Pastoral Plan and the functioning of the 17 Regional Commissions, as well as the Archdiocesan Commissions.

The Pope was happy to learn about the Pastoral and Spiritual developments that are taking place in the Archdiocese and in Karnataka with the cooperation of all the priests, religious and the lay faithful, the Archbishop said and said the Pope has imparted his apostolic blessings to all the Priests, Religious, and the People of the Archdiocese and entire State.