Countdown Begins as Udupi Gets All Set to Become Diocese
Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Kevin Rodrigues & Ivan Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (GA)
Udupi, Oct 15: Thousands of Catholics who have been the torch-bearers of faith in the Udupi districts will be witnesses to a historic moment in the church annals. Catholics of the region have waited eagerly for decades wishing and praying that Udupi would be granted the status of Diocese. As they say the fruits of long waiting are always sweet. A few hours from now, Udupi will officially be the ninth Roman Catholic diocese under the Archdiocese of Bangalore, fulfilling the dream of thousands of faithful.
In the history of coastal Karnataka tomorrow’s Canonical erection of Udupi diocese will be memorable one since none from the present generation of Catholics were even born when Mangalore was promoted as diocese in 1886. So this is first-of-its-kind and rarest of rare opportunities for the faithful from the undivided Mangalore diocese to witness the erection of a new diocese and this will surely be milestone in annals of Catholicism of the Eastern Rome.
Though the church of Our Lady of Miracles at Kallianpur will be the official Cathedral church for the new Udupi diocese, Mother of Sorrows Church in the heart of Udupi is being temporarily used as Bishop’s house.
About Udupi Diocese
Udupi Diocese which has been carved out from the Mangalore diocese consists of 48 parishes spread across five Deaneries such as Karkala, Shirva, Udupi, Kallianpur and Kundapur. The total Catholic population of the new diocese is estimated to be around 1.25 lac who are being served by 58 diocesan clergy, 20 religious priests and brothers and there are 225 nuns.
Following are the deaneries and parishes that come under them:
Karkala - 1. Sacred Heart of Jesus - Ajekar, 2. St Lawrence - Attur, 3. St Maria Goretti - Hirgan, 4. Our Lady of Lourdes - Kanajar, 5. Christ The King - Karkal Town, 6. St Dominic - Miyar, 7. Immaculate of marry church - Nakhre 8. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour – Parappady.
Shirva - 1. Our Lady of Health - Shirva, 2. Our Lady of Fathima - Pernal, 3. St John the Evangelist - Pangala, 4. Holy Cross - Pamboor, 5. St Plus - Palimar, 6. St Theresa of Child Jesus - Mukamar, 7. St Francis Xavier - Mudarangady, 8. St John Bosco - Kembet (Bola), 9. Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour - Kalathur, 10. St Joseph – Belman. 11. St Francis Xavier – Kenha.
Kundapur - 1. Christ King - Trasi, 2. St Francis of Assisi - Tallur, 3. St Antony - Sastan, 4. St Plus X - Plus Nagar, 5. St Antony - Padukone, 6. Our Lady of Rosary - Kundapur, 7. St Joseph - Kota, 8. Immaculate Conception of B.V.M - Gangolli, 9. Holy Cross - Byndoor, 10. St Joseph - Belva, 11. St Philip Neri - Basrur, 12. St Antony - Koteshwara.
Udupi - 1. Sacred Heart of Jesus - Yermal, 2. St Francis Xavier - Udyavar, 3. Mother of Sorrows - Udupi , 4. Our Lady of Fathima - Perampalli, 5. Christ King - Manipal, 6. St Antony - Kuntal Nagar, 7. St Vincent De Paul - Katapady, 8. Stella Maris - Kalmady, 9. St Lawrence - Moodubelle
Kallianpur - 1. St Ann - Thottam, 2. StPeter - Pethri, 3. Little Flower St Theresa - Kemmannu, 4. Our Lady of Miracles - Kallianpur, 5. Mount Rosary - Santhekatte, 6. Sacred Heart of Jesus - Kolal Giri, 7. Holy Family - Brahmavar, 8. St Peter – Barkur.
Preparations of the auspicious occasion have been completed and the entire Udupi civil district is all set to witness the historic moment to be held at the Milagres Cathedral grounds.
A 80,000 sq ft pendal with a seating capacity of more than 12,000 has been erected. A huge stage measuring around 5000 Sq. Ft. too has been prepared. The venue has all the facilities such as fans, air coolers, drinking water so that the large numbers of devotees who are expected to throng are taken care of.
Huge banners conveying the wishes to the new diocese and the Bishop have coloured the road leading to the Milagres Cathedral from Santhekatte with myriad colours. The district administration has extended all its support and has even repaired and laid new road with interlocks at Santhekatte junction.
Vehicle parking has been arranged at Mount Rosary Church grounds, Milagres English Medium grounds, Milagres College grounds and near Santhekatte main junction.
The entire district administration has joined hands with the organizing committee to make this even successful one. The district SP has assured compete police security. A DySP, four inspectors, 9 sub-inspectors with more than 100 constables have been deployed to oversee the security. The district hospital has arranged medical booth at the Cathedral grounds and an ambulance will be kept ready to meet any emergency.
All in all the entire coastal district belt of Karnataka seems to be rejoicing at the formation of Udupi diocese. People from all spectrums of life irrespective of religious affinities have welcome the formation of Udupi diocese and have expressed that this would be another firm step in enhancing the harmony and strengthening mutual bonds among the civilians of Udupi district.
Live streaming of the erection ceremony will be available on daijiworld on Monday October 15, 2 pm onwards.