Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 15: The Episcopal ordination and consecration celebration of Dr Peter Paul Saldanha as Bishop of Mangaluru diocese took place on Saturday, September 15 at Rosario Cathedral here in city.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on the same occasion took canonical possession of the diocese and started his pastoral ministry.
Msgr Javier D Fernandez G Papal Nuncio to India was also present and read the Mandate from the Holy See in Latin before the consecration ceremony. Fr Joseph Martis read the same in English and Fr Victor D’Mello read it in Konkani.
As per religious rituals, Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza, Apostolic Administrator and hitherto Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese as main consecrator and Dr Peter Machado, Arch Bishop, Bengaluru, Dr Jerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Udupi Diocese as co-consecrators consecrated the new Bishop.
Bishop Aloysius D’souza confirmed the willingness of Dr Peter Paul D’Souza to take oath as the shepherd of the diocese willingly.
Dr Aloysius D’Souza anointed Dr Peter Saldanha with holy oil. Crosier and Mitre were given to him after that. Subsequently he was led to the Bishop’s Seat. Then Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was officially declared as the Bishop of Mangaluru diocese.
Earlier, Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shivamogga in his homily, said, “Dr Peter Paul is son of this soil. He is a person who knows culture of this land and pulse of the people. God has chosen him to lead his people. God had given him various responsibilities to lead his people. Now an additional and important responsibility has come to him. Today onwards, he is the Bishop of our diocese.
Jesus is the best example for him how to lead people. As a good shepherd, Jesus had concern about his sheep's. He sacrificed himself for his sheep. Beside his people he also loved the who were against him. In short, he loved the entire universe. Bishop Peter Paul will follow on the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He is taking oath regarding this today. He is chosen as the witness of Jesus Christ. He needs our prayers and also he needs our support,”
After the consecration all the priests of the diocese paid honour and obedience to the new Bishop.
Msgr Javier D Fernandez, Nuncio, Delhi, Archbishop Peter Machado, Bengaluru, Archbishop Fillipe Neri Ferrao, Goa and Daman, Archbishop Thomas D'souza, Calcutta, Bishop Alex Vadakunthala, Kannur, Bishop Varguese Chakkalakul, Calicut, Bishop Robert Miranda, Gulbarga, Bishop Antony Kariyil, Mandya, Bishop Derek Fernandes, Karwar, Bishop Joseph Arumachadath, Badravathi, Bishop Ephreirn Narikulam, Chanda, Bishop Francis Serrao, Shivamogga, Bishop Oswald Lewis, Jaipur, Bishop Bernard Moras, Bengaluru, Bishop Gerald Almeida, Jabalpur, Bishop Rogat Kimario, Same, Bishop Cyprian Moniz, Anansol, Bishop IgnatiusD'souza, Bareli, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Beltangady, Bishop Pius Thomas D'souza, Ajmeer, Joseph Mar Macario, Puttur, Bishop Gerald Isac Lobo, Udupi, Bishop T Antony Swamy, Chikkamagaluru and Bishop Henry D'souza, Bellary graced the ceremony.
At the same celebration were present a great number of priests belonging from various congregations from Karnataka and other provinces, priests from other dioceses, women religious, and huge crowd of faithful, family members, friends and some non-Christian people to show their love and happiness for the new bishop.
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