Sea of Humanity Witnesses 125th Year Celebration of Mangalore Diocese
Stanley Bantwal
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD)
Mangalore, Feb 12: The grand finale of the diocesan post-centenary silver jubilee celebrations was held at Nehru Maidan, on Sunday February 12.
Dr Savio Hon Tai-Fai SDB, secretary, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican, Rome, concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration along with Mangalore Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Mumbai Archbishop Dr Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Bangalore Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras, Apostolic Nuncio in India Fr Salvatore Pennacchio and diocesan priests.
Mangala Jyoti director Fr Boniface Pinto conducted the liturgical service. Dr Savio handed over a ciborium presented by Pope Benedict as memento of post-centenary silver jubilee to Bishop D’Souza, before beginning the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, Dr Savio said that it’s indeed an opportunity to thank the Almighty for all the blessings that He has showered on people over the past 125 years. “Mangalore diocese has given many vocations along with rest of India,” he added.
He urged the promotion of family prayers daily as it can spiritually unite the families to face any adversity in life. “It will also save the brethren from wayward behavior and keep the flock united,” said Dr Savio.
Fr Pennachio presided over the stage programme. Archbishop Gracias was the chief guest on the occasion.
Dr Savio, Karnataka chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, and union minister for corporate affairs Veerappa Moily, were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Savio lauded the vibrancy of the Mangalore diocese in sustaining Christian faith for many centuries despite persecutions. He said he would go back to the Vatican to convey the good news to the Holy See.
Sadananda Gowda acknowledged the contributions of Christian missionaries in various social, economic and educational spheres of undivided Dakshina Kannada. He said that already Rs 50 crore had been set aside by the state government for the development of the Christian community, and more will be done in the coming days in terms of funding charitable works and institutions set up by Christians.
Union minister Veerappa Moily said that Christians bore the brunt of communal attacks to emerge triumphant in celebrations of diocesan post centenary silver jubilee. He recalled the efforts of parish priests in undivided Dakshina Kannada in helping the poor peasants to own their farmlands under the Land Tribunal Act. He also urged the people to follow the preaching of Jesus Christ, Swami Vivekananda, Mother Theresa, and Dalai Lama in promoting communal harmony and co-existence, and shun all forms of social evils including terrorism.
Archbishop Gracias acknowledged the philanthropic contributions of Mangalorean entrepreneurs in Mumbai, besides the contributions of Mangalorean religious priests and nuns in education and health sphere. He also lauded the diocesan authorities concern for poor brethrens in building homes, as a token of mark during diocesan post centenary silver jubilee year.
Fr Pennachio thanked the entire congregation including laities of Mangalore diocese for their good work and contributions of Mangalorean missionaries worldwide.
The diocesan post centenary silver jubilee celebrations executive committee secretary Sushil Noronha, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, DCC president Ramanath Rai, MLC Ganesh Karnik, CDA chairman Nagaraj Shetty, MLA Yogish Bhat, Dakshina Kannada district BJP president Padmanabha Kottari, and MLA U T Khader were present on the dais.
Shimla–Chandigarh Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas, Patna Archbishop William D’Souza, Allahabad Bishop Issidor Fernandes, Asansol Bishop Cyprian Monis, Bhopal Archbishop Leo Cornelio, Jabalpur Bishop Gerald D’Almeida, Delhi Archbishop Vincent Concessao, Jhansi Bishop Fredrick D’Souza, Lucknow Bishop Gerald John Mathias, Ajmer Bishop Ignatius Menezes, Bangalore Archbishop Berard Moras, Shimoga Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bellary Bishop Henry D’Souza, Gulbarga Bishop Robert Miranda, Bareli Bishop Antony Fernandes, Kolkata Coadjutor Archbishop Thomas D’Souza, Jaipur Bishop Oswald Lewis, Badravathi Bishop Joseph Arumachadath, Belgaum Bishop Peter Machado, Beltangady Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Chikmagalur Bishop Antony Swamy, Mandya Bishop George Njarlakatta, Mysore Bishop Thomas Antony Vazhapilly, Puttur Bishop Gee Varghese Mar Divannasios and Kannur Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal - all of them from Mangalore - were honoured by the Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza
The programme began with a ballet ‘Chaithanyodaya’ by Fr Denis D’sa and group. Mangalore diocesan vicar general Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu proposed the vote of thanks. Titus, Fr Prashant Madtha, and Dr Reena Alva compered the programme.
Over 50,000 people from across Mangalore diocese were present on the occasion.