Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 10: In a press meet held at the Bishop house on Monday, September 10, outgoing Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza, explained the episcopal ordination of the New Bishop of the Diocese of Mangaluru at Rosario Cathedral.
Giving the details Bishop Aloysius said "The episcopal ordination and solemn installation of Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, as the 14th bishop of Mangaluru diocese, Will be held on 15 September 2018 at 9.30 am at Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru.
“The Catholic Church took its roots in Mangaluru with the coming of Portuguese Franciscan missionaries to Canara around the year 1521. In 1845 the Catholic Church of Mangalore was elevated to the position of a vicariate. It was upgraded to a full Diocese on September 1, 1886. Fr Nicholas Pagani SJ was appointed as the ?rst bishop.
“As many as 13 Vicars Apostolic and Bishops have headed the Diocese so far. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will be the 14th Bishop of Mangaluru diocese.
“He will be consecrated during the solemn Eucharistic celebration by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Mangaluru along with Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bengaluru and Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi as co consecrators.
"After the religious ceremony, a formal felicitation programme of the new bishop will be held at the same venue. On behalf of the civic society, U T Khadar, district in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada will offer felicitations to the new bishop.
"This historical event will be witnessed by Fr Javier D Fernandez G (Counsellor of papal nuncio to India) representing papal nuncio to India, archbishop, many bishops, priests, religious and political leaders, Catholics of Mangaluru diocese and other invitees. More than 10,000 people are expected to be present," he said.
Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza retired as the bishop of Mangaluru diocese serving for 22 years (1996-2018). Pope Francis appointed Dr Peter Paul Saldanha as the new bishop of Mangaluru on July 3, 2018.
Mangaluru diocese is spread geographically into two districts of Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod, with an area of 5,924 square km, having around 250000 Catholics. There are 124 parishes and 11 Sub stations with 272 diocesan priests and 102 priests belonging to the Jesuit, Carmelite, Franciscan and 15 other congregations rendering religious services. There are as many as 50 religious congregations for women, with 1,246 sisters in 194 religious houses and convents.
The diocese has many educational institutions, hospitals, Medical and Engineering colleges, social services centers, associations, movements and sodalities that cater to the needs of all people in the society. St Joseph Inter-Diocesan Seminary, the Diocesan Biblical, Liturgical and Catechetical Centre, Pastoral institute and Vocation Service Centre, Catholic Board of Education, Father Muller Hospital, St Joseph‘s Engineering College, Institute for Social Development (ISD), Employ Me, St Joseph’s Asylum Industrial Workshop, St Antony poor homes, Family Life Service Centre, Counseling Centre, Friendship House, Prison Ministry india, Canara communication centre etc are some of the organs of the Diocese to bring the love of God to the people.
Associations like the Catholic Sabha, sodality, the St Vincent de Paul Society, ICYM, YCS, YSM, Youth for Christ, Jesus Youth, Catholic Action League, Women’s movements and sodalities etc are active in the Diocese
About Dr Peter Paul Saldanha
Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was born on April 27 1964 in Kirem, near Kinnigoli. After his initial studies in his native place, he joined St Joseph’s Seminary Jeppu Mangalore and pursued his Philosophy and Theology and was ordained priest on May 6 1991 for the Diocese of Mangaluru. He served as the Assistant Parish Priest in St Lawrence Church Moodbelle (now in Udupi Diocese), Our Lady of Miracles Church Milagres Mangaluru and Our Lady of Dolours Church Vittal. In 1996 he was appointed as the Professor at St Joseph’s Seminary Jeppu, Mangaluru. Later he went to Rome for higher studies in theology and obtained Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. Since 2010 he is a professor of Dogmatic Theology at pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome.
Fr JB Crasta, convenor of the ordination event, MP Noronha, co Convenor, and Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, PRO, were present.