Updated
Pics: Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Apr 20: In a deeply reverent Eucharistic celebration marked by prayer, tradition, and ecclesial unity, Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza was ordained as the new bishop of the diocese of Udupi on Monday, April 20, at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur.
The episcopal ordination was conferred by Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and president of FABC and CCBI, who served as the principal consecrator. He was joined by archbishop of Bangalore archdiocese Dr Peter Machado and the apostolic administrator of the Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, as co-consecrators, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, along with over 30 bishops, 250 priests, an equal number of nuns, and around 6,000 faithful gathered from across India.
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV on January 31, Bishop Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza becomes the second shepherd of the diocese of Udupi, marking a significant milestone in the diocese’s pastoral journey since its establishment in 2012.
The rite of ordination included the proclamation of the Papal Bull formally appointing Bishop Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza, followed by the solemn liturgical rites of episcopal consecration. The celebration was marked by moments of profound prayer and joyful participation from the assembled faithful.
Fr Steevan D’Souza, chancellor of the diocese of Udupi, read out the official letter from the Holy Father of the Holy Catholic Church, which stated that he was appointed as the bishop of the diocese of Udupi.
Fr Reginald Pinto of Sampada and Fr Steevan Dsouza, chancellor, accompanied during the ceremony.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of the diocese of Mangaluru, in his homily said, “Blessings of the father are the most precious. In many families today, there is no presence of a father. In the family of God, as representatives of the Almighty Father, we see bishops. Today, in the form of Msgr Leslie, the Lord has chosen His representative in the diocese of Udupi. A bishop has to sow the seeds of the Word of God among the faithful. A bishop has to love all. The Lord has chosen you to shepherd His chosen people. Priority is the proclamation and explanation of the Gospel.”
The rite of ordination included the promise of the elect, the hymn to the Holy Spirit, the laying of hands on the elect by the bishops, the prayer of ordination, the anointing of the head, the handing over of the Holy Gospel, the ring ceremony, and other religious proceedings.
The sign of peace was also exchanged by the chief consecrator, assistant consecrators, other bishops, the committee of advisors, and lay representatives.
The hymn to the Holy Spirit was sung by Wilson Olivera. The choir was led by Fr Alwyn Sequeira and Fr Pradeep Cardoza, while Fr Wilson D’Souza compered the ceremony during the Eucharistic celebration.
Earlier report
Eucharistic celebration held ahead of Msgr Leslie Clifford D’Souza’s ordination as Udupi bishop
Pics: Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Apr 20: A solemn Eucharistic celebration ahead of the episcopal ordination and installation of Msgr Leslie Clifford D’Souza as the second bishop of the diocese of Udupi began with grandeur at the Milagres College grounds on Monday April 20.
More than 35 bishops, priests, nuns, and a large number of faithful participated in the celebrations.
The bishop-elect, Msgr Leslie Clifford Dsouza, along with Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, archbishop of Goa and Daman and president of FABC and CCBI; archbishop of Bangalore archdiocese Dr Peter Machado; and the apostolic administrator of the Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, were ceremoniously welcomed in a procession before the Mass.
A large number of faithful witnessed the divine celebrations.
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