Mangalore Diocese Honours Archbishop Ambrose Madtha and Bishop Henry D'Souza
Report- Fr William Menezes, PRO, Mangalore Diocese
Mangalore,Aug 18: It was a day of celebrations and rejoicing for the catholic community of Mangalore when the two sons of the soil offered Thanksgiving Mass with Mangalore Bishop and hundreds of Priests joined the concelebrations with the faithful at Milagres Church Mangalore.
Most Rev. Dr Ambrose Madtha, hailing from Belthangady and now is appointed as Papal Nuncio to Ivory coast and Most Rev. Dr Henry D'Souza, hailing from Kinnigoly is the Bishop of Bellary were facilitated. Mangalore Bishop Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza honoured both of them with a shawl, garland and Phala Pushpha. Earlier to this Mr. Rosario, the vice president of PPC of Milarges Church and Rev.Fr Stany Goveas Parish priest of Rosario Cathedral read citation of Bishops Ambrose and Henry respectively.
In his reply Arch Bishop Ambrose said that even though he is not very familiar with the clergy and laity of Mangalore, he is overwhelmed with the warm felicitations offered to him. He thanked all those who were present for the celebrations.
Bishop Henry said that he is Bishop today because of the support and encouragement of Bishop Aloysius and Late Bishop Basil D'Souza and the clergy and religious and laity of Mangalore. Citing the speech of the President of India as she took charge, he said that he is the servant of the People of Bellary Diocese. He requested for the prayers for him and for Belary Diocese.
Bishop Aloysius in his presidential address said that he is so happy today just like the parents who give birth to twins. These two Bishops are twins of Mangalorean Catholic Community. He lauded the Mangalorean Catholic community for offering 36 Bishops and innumerable priests and religious to the service of God and his people. He exhorted the honoured Bishop to remember the roots ie the catholic Community of Mangalore. The Milagres Choir sang melodious felicitation song.
Fr Walter D'Mello Parish Priest of Milagres welcomed the gathering and chancellorRev.Fr Henry Sequeira proposed the vote of thanks.Fr Santhosh Rodrigues compared the programme