Media Release
Bengaluru, Feb 8: The new building of the Pontifical Mission Organisations was blessed and inaugurated on February 7 in Bengaluru. The event took place in the presence of more than 170 bishops of the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches. They were in the city to attend the CCBI and CBCI meetings.
His excellency Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, inaugurated and dedicated the building by reciting the prayers, cutting the ribbon and entering the new premises. He also unveiled the plaque of the building.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, president of the CCBI, led the blessing ceremony. He was joined by archbishop Peter Machado, vice president of the CCBI; archbishop Vincent Aind, secretary general of the CCBI; Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad and the president elect of the CBCI and archbishop Andrews Thazhath, president, CBCI.
Dr Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general of the CCBI, extended a warm welcome to the bishops, priests, and invited guests.
After the blessing, a brief felicitation programme was held. It was presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli offered his felicitation message. Archbishop Sebastian Durairaj, chairman of the CCBI Commission for Proclamation, and bishop Ambrose Pitchaimuthu, director of the Pontifical Mission Organisations, spoke on the occasion.
The gathering also honoured the architect, engineer, contractor and workers who contributed to the construction of the building.
The programme was coordinated by Dr Christopher Vimalraj, associate deputy secretary general, CCBI; Dr Paul D’Souza, executive secretary for Proclamation and Fr Antonysamy, associate executive secretary of the Commission.
The new building is the result of a long journey. The idea was first proposed by Msgr Siluvai Ignaci of Tuticorin, who served as national director from 1999 to 2011. It was continued by Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo of Mangalore, who served from 2011 to 2018. The project was finally realised during the tenure of Fr Ambrose Pitchaimuthu of Chingleput. After his appointment as bishop in 2023, Dr Stephen Alathara was entrusted with overseeing the construction.
The foundation stone was laid on January 29, 2024 by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão. The building is in the heart of the city, near MG Road in Ulsoor. It has six office rooms, a boardroom, a chapel, documentation room and a media room. The new building will improve the working capacity of the CCBI officials at the Secretariat.
The Pontifical Mission Organisations is a group of four missionary societies: the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St Peter the Apostle, the Holy Childhood Association, and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious. In India, they function under the guidance of the CCBI Commission for Proclamation.
The CCBI has secretariats in five cities. The general secretariat is in New Delhi. It also has secretariats in Frazer Town and Ulsoor in Bangalore, Shanti Sadan in Goa, Bethania in Faridabad and Suvarta Kendra in Bhopal. At present, 34 officials serve the CCBI as executive secretaries and Associates across these secretariats.